Postdoctoral Researcher in AI / DFT / DMFT Computational Materials Discovery

Job Description

Organization: Aalto University – Quantum Dynamics Group

Aalto University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in computational materials discovery combining machine learning and condensed-matter physics. The research is supervised by Professor Päivi Törmä (Aalto University) and Professor Andrei Bernevig (Princeton University, visiting professor at Aalto).

The project focuses on discovering new superconducting materials with high critical temperatures using advanced computational techniques such as machine learning, density functional theory (DFT), and dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT). The work forms part of large international collaborations including the SuperC project and the Simons Collaboration on New Frontiers of Superconductivity, within the Finnish Center of Excellence in Quantum Materials.

Research Responsibilities

• Develop machine learning algorithms to predict and discover novel superconducting materials.
• Build generative models to identify new materials with high critical temperatures.
• Apply computational condensed-matter physics techniques including DFT and symmetry-aware learning.
• Collaborate closely with experimental researchers for synthesis and validation of predicted materials.
• Develop theoretical frameworks capable of predicting entirely new classes of materials.
• Disseminate results through publications and presentations at international conferences.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in condensed matter physics, materials science, computational physics, or a related field.
• Strong numerical and computational skills.
• Experience in machine learning, DFT, symmetry-aware learning, materials science, or group theory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Research Environment

The researcher will join the Quantum Dynamics group at Aalto University and collaborate with leading international scientists. The project offers opportunities for research visits to Princeton University, the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), and the Max Planck Institute in Dresden.

Aalto provides exceptional computational infrastructure including university clusters and access to national supercomputing resources such as the LUMI supercomputer, one of the world’s most powerful systems.

Employment Conditions

• Full-time postdoctoral position.
• Initial contract of 2 years.
• Salary range: €4,138 – €4,549 per month depending on experience.
• Location: Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.
• Includes occupational healthcare and access to national supercomputing infrastructure.