Postdoc on Fusion Materials Modelling (x/f/m)

At the Autonomous Energy Materials Discovery [AMD] Research Group of DIFFER, we develop and use automated virtual materials discovery frameworks - powered by high-throughput physics-based classical and quantum calculations, artificial intelligence methods, and advanced data-infrastructures - to accelerate the discovery of molecules/materials for energy applications.

This position is for candidates who want apply their experience in first-principles modelling for the design of materials for nuclear fusion reactors. The project involves density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of W-based fusion wall materials under extreme conditions. In addition, this position will entail generation of machine-learned (ML) interatomic models and their use to elucidate the experimentally observed structural and physicochemical features of the wall materials.

Lab technician

What are you going to do?
As a lab technician you will oversee the design and operation of advanced chemical laboratories and equipment. You will be part of an international and diverse team of scientific staff and other technical staff. You are challenged to find creative solutions to advance scientific research at a world leading level and guard the lab safety.
Tasks & responsibilities:

• Support scientific staff to design, assemble, test, improve and operate research infrastructure and set-ups in the field of (predominantly inorganic) chemistry and catalysis.
• Oversee usage, operation and maintenance of instruments. Instruct new users. Contact suppliers for maintenance and in case of defective equipment, order consumables and instrument parts and oversee assembly thereof.
• Advise in the purchase of new research equipment.
• Assess existing and suggest additional safety measures in the laboratory, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), guidelines for the use of new and existing set-ups, handling of (hazardous) chemicals and waste.
• Instruct PhD- and undergraduate students on laboratory work processes and a safe working environment, e.g., in the conduction of Risk Indication and Evaluation (RI&E) and standard operating protocols (SOPs).
• Introduce new team members to lab (safety) procedures.
• Actively participate in meetings on infrastructure, organization and/or safety.
• Oversee the registration and storage of chemicals and samples. Advise on orders of chemicals by scientific staff.

Facilities & Instrumentation Department Head

who wishes to lead our new Technical department Facilities & Instrumentation, steer technical development programs, identify new technological opportunities, and join the management team of the institute.

The department head of Facilities & Instrumentation is responsible for maintaining and operating our current research infrastructure, aligns technological development programs with the DIFFER strategy and is closely involved in major scientific investment programs. You will identify needs and new opportunities to upgrade and improve the scientific instrumentation at DIFFER. You act as a mentor for the team leaders and build a strong technical team, with the required skills to operate, maintain and build infrastructure, including project management. As head of the department you are member of the DIFFER management team (MT). As member of the DIFFER management team (MT) you will develop, contribute to and implement the overall strategy of the institute.

A key aspect of the position is to keep the instrumentation state-of-the-art and identify new opportunities to improve our unique set of instruments. As department head you are able to communicate with the scientific group leaders and translate their needs into concrete plans. You also understand the technical language of the technicians and are able to bring them together.

As department head you will guide team leaders, are responsible for the department budget and keep the time planning. You are able to perform project-based work in pragmatic way. Resource planning and optimization will be an important aspect of the work.

Fusion Energy Department Head (x/f/m)

who wishes to lead our Fusion Energy (FE) research program, to establish his/her own research line within this program, and to join the management team of the institute.

The FE department head -together with the FE group leaders- is responsible for the overall strategy and development of the FE research program. You manage the FE group leaders and lead a strong (inter-)nationally competitive team working on the relevant research questions to fulfill DIFFER's mission. As FE department head you are member of the DIFFER management team (MT). As member of the DIFFER MT you will develop, contribute to and implement the overall strategy of the institute.

A key aspect of the position is to establish the FE research program nationally as well as internationally, to secure research funding, and to acquire and exploit state-of-the-art research infrastructure. DIFFER made a strategic choice to invest the coming years in research infrastructure focusing on "Materials for Energy", ideally your research line fits closely to the available or planned research infrastructure at DIFFER (Magnum PSI, UPP, Ion Beam Facility, …), to optimally use and promote the instrumentation. To this end you will need to have and further build up a network of stakeholders in the FE community, academia and industry. As head of FE you will have an important role in organizing the national research field and to initiate and to contribute to agenda-setting activities with external partners, such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the European Research Council (ERC).

Next to this, you establish your own research line and develop methods of research. You are responsible for budget control and planning for your department.

Solar Fuels Department Head (x/f/m)

who wishes to lead our Solar Fuels (SF) research program, to establish his/her own research line within this program, and to join the management team of the institute.

The SF department head -together with the SF group leaders- is responsible for the overall strategy and development of the SF research program. You manage the SF group leaders and build a strong (inter-)nationally competitive team working on the relevant research questions to fulfill DIFFER's mission. As SF department head you are member of the DIFFER management team (MT). As member of the DIFFER MT you will develop, contribute to and implement the overall strategy of the institute.

A key aspect of the position is to establish the SF research program nationally as well as internationally, to secure research funding, and to acquire and exploit state-of-the-art research infrastructure. DIFFER made a strategic choice to invest the coming years in research infrastructure focusing on 'Materials for Energy'. Ideally your research line fits closely to the available or planned research infrastructure at DIFFER (PLD, automated lab, Ion Beam, Ion Beam Facility...), to optimally use and promote the instrumentation. To this end you will need to have and further build up a network of stakeholders in the SF community, academia and industry. As head of SF you will have an important role in organizing the national research field and to initiate and to contribute to agenda-setting activities with external partners, such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the European Research Council (ERC).

Next to this, you establish your own research line and develop methods of research. You are responsible for budget control and planning for your department.