Paul Scherrer Institute

Open Opportunities

Two PhD positions: Development and application of advanced computational methods for simulations of magnons in altermagnets Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory for Materials Simulations We are seeking two passionate PhD candidates to join our research team in a cutting-edge project focused on the theoretical investigation of altermagnetism - a recently discovered and rapidly growing field in condensed matter physics. Altermagnets are a novel class of magnetic materials that exhibit spin-compensated magnetism with non-relativistic spin-split bands, offering unprecedented potential for energy-efficient spin-based technologies such as spintronics, magnonics, and superconductivity. Chiral magnons in altermagnets, in particular, promise to revolutionize information processing by enabling dissipationless transport without relying on charge carriers. Join us in pushing the frontiers of this emerging field by developing novel computational tools and making impactful contributions to the next generation of low-power, high-efficiency technologies. Theoretical and Condensed Matter Physics PhD Placement

Two postdoc positions at PSI (SCD/LMS): Development and implementation of novel electronic-structure methods and algorithms Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory for Materials Simulations These two PASC projects focus on advancing electronic-structure simulations by implementing novel mixed-precision numerical algorithms in the DFTK.jl and SIRIUS libraries, enhancing their integration with Quantum ESPRESSO, and to incorporate advanced electronic-structure functionals based on frequency-dependent response functions (dynamical Hubbard functionals) to improve the accuracy and efficiency of first-principles calculations. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Theoretical and Condensed Matter Physics Post-Doc Position

Trainee for the indexing of scientific documents with the aid of large language models (LLMs) (index no. 8123-T1) Paul Scherrer Institute Paul Scherrer Institute We are using retrieval augmented generation (RAG) to support a large language model (LLM) answering questions related to our accelerators. Source documents include scientific publications, as well as internal documents. Many of these documents include images, tables, and equations, which are not directly accessible to be indexed in a language-based embedding. You will help address these issues by: • Support the interpretation of scientific publications and internal notes by large language models • Assess possibilities to index images, tables, and equations • Store embeddings in a vector data base • Use a large language model to search this data base, and answer user questions • Build a user interface for this model The vector data base and the large language model run locally on hardware located at PSI. Computer Software, Data Format Internship

Semester assignments/Bachelor and Master Theses at the Center for Proton Therapy at PSI Paul Scherrer Institute Center for Proton Therapy The Center for Proton Therapy (CPT) at PSI is the world leader in the development and clinical implementation of pencil beam scanning proton therapy. We are looking for talented and motivated students with a background in physics, engineering and computer science to join our research program. Engineering and Technology, Physics Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Nanoscale grating fabrication in a cleanroom Paul Scherrer Institute X-Ray Tomography Group We are offering multiple projects in the cleanroom with focus on gratings for x-ray application, this includes lithography and etching. If you would like to do a project in a cleanroom do not hesitate to contact us under: bryan.benz@psi.ch Biomedical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medical Physics ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project

Chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol particles from Greenland, the Arctic and the Alps Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry Global warming induces emissions changes in global ecosystems, for example changes to marine algal blooms, emerging terrestrial vegetation, increasing glacial dust or fires. At the same time human activities in the cryosphere cause emissions from traffic, domestic activities and animal herding. All these emissions change the composition of the atmosphere. The main task of this project will be to analyse mass spectrometry data from Greenland or the Jungfraujoch, to understand the complex puzzle of atmospheric aerosol sources. You will have the option to analyse aerosol filter samples in the lab, collected during different (ongoing) campaigns, like the GreenFjord project's atmospheric cluster in Greenland (https://greenfjord-project.ch/). This work will be carried out at and with the team of the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry at PSI, Switzerland. Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry (incl. Atmospheric Chemistry) Internship, Lab Practice, Master Thesis

Masters project at PSI (SCD/LMS): Systematic correction of electronic self-interaction with Koopmans functionals Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory for Materials Simulations Investigate how best to unite Koopmans and Perdew-Zunger self-interaction corrections for electronic structure calculations. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Theoretical and Condensed Matter Physics Master Thesis, Semester Project

Masters project at PSI (SCD/LMS): Combining Koopmans and Hubbard corrections for accurate band structures of materials Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory for Materials Simulations Investigate how best to unite Koopmans and Hubbard corrections for electronic structure calculations. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Theoretical and Condensed Matter Physics Master Thesis, Semester Project

Masters project at PSI (SCD/LMS): Development of an AiiDAlab QE app plugin to calculate the Work Function of Surfaces Paul Scherrer Institute Laboratory for Materials Simulations Develop a plugin for the Jupyter-based AiiDAlab Quantum ESPRESSO app focused on calculating the work function of material surfaces. Ideal for students aiming to apply their coding skills and scientific knowledge to contribute to scientific software in material science research. Software Engineering, Theoretical and Condensed Matter Physics Master Thesis, Semester Project