Call for PostDoc Positions for one-year period from October 2019 in Physics

Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University

Research Projects:

Advanced scintillation materials

We are pleased to announce opening of a post-doctoral position in the Faculty of Mathematics and physics, Charles University, Prague, on topics of scintillators.

The inorganic scintillators are used for detection of high energy radiation or particles, e.g. in medical modalities and many industrial systems that use the X-rays or gamma rays or energetic particles. The research project is focusing on a new class of ultra-fast scintillation materials and development of novel systems designed particularly for fast electron detection and medical diagnostics.

A post-doctoral research fellow will join group focusing on scintillation properties of complex oxide systems. In this work optical, luminescence, scintillation, and kinetic properties are studied in single crystalline layers of scintillation materials. The program is particularly oriented to synthesis and growth of epitaxial films of rare-earth doped garnets, perovskites, or orthosilicates, development of novel material systems designed for ultra-fast applications and high resolution 2D-imaging scintillation systems.

The applicant must hold the PhD degree in physics or material science or related discipline. Previous experience with scintillators and/or luminescence spectroscopy, luminescence kinetics is advantage.

The project will be supervised by doc. RNDr. Miroslav Kučera, CSc., Institute of Physics of Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University (e-mail contact: miroslav.kucera@mff.cuni.cz).

Low Temperature Physics and Superfluidity

Superfluid helium has many unique properties among which is the existence of quantum turbulence, a category of flows bearing striking similarities to classical turbulence while differing dramatically in other aspects. Quantum turbulence may be probed, e.g., by visualization techniques, by dedicated devices such as second sound generators/detectors, or using micro- and nano- scale mechanical resonators. The proposed research project is focused on the applications of such resonators to probe quantum turbulence in superfluid 4He at very low temperatures down to 10 millikelvin, reached on a dilution refrigerator. At higher temperatures, traditional techniques such as second sound attenuation will be used to provide further insight.

The successful candidate will join the superfluidity group in Prague, and will be primarily responsible for the design and operation of cryogenic experiments related to investigations of quantum turbulence in superfluid 4He using nanowires and other lithographically produced structures as part of the ongoing research activities. Applicants with a background in numerical simulation will be encouraged to continue our previous work on modeling of quantum turbulence using the vortex filament technique. As an option, training in nanofabrication techniques is feasible in collaboration with our partners.

An applicant should have a doctoral degree in physics, cryogenics, fluid dynamics, or related disciplines. Previous experience with low temperature experiments is highly recommended. The candidates ought to be familiar with:

• Low temperature experimentation, cryogenics (previous work on superfluidity is an advantage)
• Basic electronics-related skills, standard lab instrumentation and automation techniques (LabVIEW programming is an advantage)
• Systematic data analysis using tools such as Python or Matlab

Informal inquiries concerning the position are welcome, specific suggestions for research projects by the candidates will be considered as well.

The project will be supervised by prof. RNDr. Ladislav Skrbek, DrSc, Department of Low Temperature Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University (e-mail contact: Ladislav.Skrbek@mff.cuni.cz).

Stellar Astronomy

Astronomical Institute, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University Prague, invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral position to a motivated person, working in the field of stellar astronomy. Applicants should have a PhD degree  in astronomy and astrophysics, strong background in astronomical data reduction  as well as knowledge and practical experience in modern stellar photometry and  spectroscopy.

More specifically, his/her doctoral expertise and research plan should be close to at least one of the following topics: binaries with a degenerate companion, cataclysmic variables, post-common envelope binaries and interacting binary systems, with possibility to also follow his/her own research direction within the scope of our group. We expect regular applications for observing time on large telescopes around the world (ESO).

The project will be supervised by doc. RNDr. Marek Wolf, CSc., Astronomical Institute of Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University (e-mail contact: Marek.Wolf@mff.cuni.cz).

These positions offer:

• 1 year contract from October 2019 with a possible renewal in case of mutual interest
• the salary comparable to the starting salary of an Assistant Professor at the Faculty 

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV
• brief description of research expertise and plans (1-2 pages)
• list of publications
• copy of PhD thesis (or a link for downloading)
• two letters of recommendation 

Submissions should be emailed to galikova@dekanat.mff.cuni.cz not later than July 14, 2019. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.