CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Theoretical Physics - CSIRO - ResearchCareer

First listed on: 25 September 2018

CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Theoretical Physics

  • Are you a highly motivated, independent and productive researcher with excellent communication skills?
  • Do you have a strong background in theoretical physics, condensed matter physics and/or quantum physics?
  • Join The Superconductivity team at Lindfield for this exciting postdoctoral fellowship

The Position: 
Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship role will require a combination of skills including strong background in theoretical physics, in particular superconductivity, condensed matter physics and/or quantum physics and have excellent mathematical and computational skills. The role requires developing theoretical models of Josephson junction arrays, based on high- and low- critical temperature materials, in order to improve the array design and therefore the sensitivity of arrays to small magnetic fields. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be capable of developing theoretical models combining both the lumped element model approach and the quantum mechanical description of Josephson junctions and superconductivity more generally. There will be the opportunity to collaborate regularly with researchers at the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS). In addition, this role will offer the unique prospect to direct or participate in scanning probe experiments to study the current pathways at the surface of the superconducting microchips and compare these with the modelling of the arrays with collaborators in the Netherlands. The role requires a highly motivated, independent and productive researcher who follows ideas and tasks through to completion and works hard to meet deadlines. They will also work well in a team environment with excellent communication skills.

Your duties will include:

  • Under the direction of senior research scientists, carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
  • Modelling electromagnetic (EM) response of superconducting Josephson Junctions and of other superconducting micro/nanostructures by using a combination of different theoretical tools. 
  • Investigating different junction array architectures and material properties to seek dramatic improvements in magnetic field sensitivity, the linearity of the response under electro-magnetic excitations and noise performance.
  • Building on the unique modelling capability so far developed by a collaboration between CSIRO and the University of Adelaide.

Location: Lindfield, NSW
Salary: $82k to $93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of up to 3 years
Job ref: 58835

To be successful you will have:

  • A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as theoretical physics, in particular superconductivity, condensed matter physics or quantum physicsPlease note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
  • A sound knowledge of theoretical physics especially superconductivity and condensed matter physics.
  • Demonstrated theoretical physics/mathematical modelling capabilities.
  • High quality scientific communications skills demonstrated by publications in high quality journals.
  • Excellent skills using packages such as Matlab, Python, C++ or similar.
  • High level interest in applying the models and equations to solving real world problems and helping improve the sensor performance in a range of applications.

Before applying please view the full position details and selection criteria here: Position Details

About Us

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. We do this by using science and technology to solve real issues. Diversity is the compass that navigates our innovation. We provide an inclusive workplace that respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of a diverse workforce.

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Find out more Balance

How to Apply: Please provide enough information relevant to the selection criteria for this position to enable the assessment panel to determine your suitability, and upload one document containing your CV/resume and cover letter.  

Applications Close: 10:59pm AEDT, 7 March 2019.  Previous applicants to this role need not re-apply.