Postdoctoral position available on the quantum theory of cold and ultracold molecules

Durham University, UK

A postdoctoral position is available to work in my research group on the
quantum-mechanical theory of cold and ultracold molecules. The position for
3 years and is available as soon as the successful applicant wishes to
start. The funding places no restrictions on nationality, though it will be
subject to the normal UK immigration rules.

The major areas we work on are:
1. The production of ultracold molecules from ultracold atoms

2. Methods to cool molecules to microkelvin temperatures

3. Interactions, collisions and properties of ultracold molecules.
This position is associated with a large new EPSRC grant entitled MMQA:
Microkelvin Molecules in a Quantum Array, joint with experimental groups at
Durham and Imperial College London. It is linked to both the Atomic and
Molecular Physics group and the Theory and Chemical Dynamics group.

My research group current consists of 3 post-docs and 1 research student,
with funding available for 2 new research students to start in 2011 or 2012.
There are also closely linked experimental teams working on ultracold
molecule production (magnetoassociation), molecule cooling (Stark
deceleration, buffer-gas sources, Photostop, magnetic deceleration), and
molecule trapping. The successful applicant will be expected to:
– become an active and integrated member of the team
– take a leading role in a variety of projects
– engage with our extensive network of international collaborators
– initiate new projects in this fast-developing field

On a day-to-day basis, we use the techniques of advanced electronic
structure theory and quantum molecular collision theory. The successful
applicant is likely to have a background in one of these areas.

More information on the position is available at
http://www.dur.ac.uk/j.m.hutson/postdoc-info.pdf and general information
about the cold molecules theory group is available at
http://www.dur.ac.uk/j.m.hutson/

Applications must be made via the Durham University Web site. The direct
link to this position is
http://ig5.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_durham01.asp?newms=jj&id=64896&newlang=1
The closing date for applications is 23 March 2011.

Ph. D. studentships in the theory of cold molecules are also currently
advertised, and studentships and postdoctoral positions are also available
on the experimental side of the Programme Grant. Write to me or to my
experimental colleagues (Eckart Wrede, David Carty, Simon Cornish) for
further details.

Jeremy Hutson