Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Chemistry

Uppsala Universitet · plný úvazek

Box 596, Uppsala, Švédsko

Do you want to work in computational chemistry, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relations and offers secure, beneficial working conditions? Welcome to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University. The Program for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology hosts a wide range of research topics, from sequence-based bioinformatics, drug design and enzymology to method development in computational chemistry. The group led by Prof. David van der Spoel conducts research on force fields for molecular simulation. They have their own machine learning software, Alexandria Chemistry Toolkit, which derives complete force fields from quantum chemical calculations. This gives us unique opportunities to put the new field, force field research, on the agenda, which we believe will reshape how accurate, physics-based force field simulations are conducted. Learn more at https://www.uu.se/institution/cell-och-molekylarbiologi/forskning/berakningsbiologi-och-bioinformatik/van-der-spoel-labb This postdoctoral position is part of the eSSENCE graduate school for data-driven research. Within the school, challenges in data-driven research are addressed both from a fundamental methodological perspective and from an application-oriented perspective. The school is a meeting place where experts in computational science, data science, and systems and methodological research collaborate closely with researchers in data-driven applications, aiming to accelerate data-based discoveries for the benefit of research, industry, and society at large. eSSENCE is a strategic collaboration in e-Science between three Swedish universities with a strong tradition of high-quality research in e-Science: Uppsala University, Lund University, and Umeå University. https://www.essenceofescience.se/ Duties You will work within a new collaborative project with Prof. Daniel Brandell, Chemistry-Ångström, on the topic "Machine Learning for Designing Electrolytes for Sodium Batteries". To reduce the environmental impact of batteries, we will specifically work toward batteries based on sodium instead of lithium ions. Within the project, you will perform quantum chemical calculations, train force fields, conduct molecular dynamics simulations, and validate the force fields using both quantum calculations and experimental measurements that will be conducted in Prof. Brandell's lab. Electrolyte materials that you design may be synthesized by the collaborating partner for direct experimental feedback. Qualification Requirements Doctoral degree in chemistry or a degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in chemistry. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Primarily, those who have completed their degree no more than three years ago should be considered. When calculating the three-year period, the starting point is the final application deadline. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade union organizations, etc. You should have: - Good knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, - documented experience in computational chemistry, - documented experience in programming in Python, - social competence, as you will work in a collaborative project, - and fluent command of the English language. Desirable/Meriting Experience with large-scale data computing (high-performance computing), experience in programming in C++, experience in software development in a team, experience in battery research, and experience with Linux tools. About the Position The employment is fixed-term for two years according to central collective agreement. Full-time position. Start date 2027-01-01 or by agreement. Work location: Uppsala Information about the position is provided by: David van der Spoel, +46184714205, [email protected] In this recruitment, we have replaced the personal statement with questions that you answer as part of your application. Your responses will be used as part of the selection process. Welcome to submit your application by October 30, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2843. Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces. Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ The employment may be subject to security clearance. For security clearance, approval is a prerequisite for employment. We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system. Trade union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]