MSCA-IF expression of interest in materials modelling/discovery

Call for Expressions of Interest in Materials Modelling/Discovery

Introduction
The International Centre in Advanced Materials and Raw Materials of Castilla y Leon (ICAMCyL) welcomes expressions of interest from potential postdoctoral researchers with an excellent track record in the area of Materials Modelling/Discovery, to apply jointly with a research supervisor from ICAMCyL to the European Commission Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship Scheme (MSCA-IF). Selected candidates will be provided with special assistance with regards to proposal development.

MSCA Individual Fellowship are designed to help young researchers launch successful academic careers. With an MSCA fellowship at ICAMCyL, you will develop research experience and autonomy, hone your professional skills and grow your international profile and professional network.

About ICAMCyL

ICAMCyL Foundation has been recently created by the main industries in the sectors of advanced materials, engineering, mining and processing, and automotive. ICAMCyL is supported by the County Government of Leon, and the Regional Government of Castilla y León (Spain), and it constitutes a singular Competence Centre created with the objective of filling the gaps in the S3 (RIS3) of the region.

Award
MSCA-IF is a prestigious European funding scheme that supports mobility, career development, and training within and beyond Europe, and offer 2-3 years’ highly competitive salary, a mobility allowance, family allowance and research costs.

Full details of the Scheme and application process can be found at: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/msca-if-2018.html

The final deadline date for applications is 12 September 2018. Deadline for expressions of interest: 15 June 2018.

All expressions of interest must meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme (link). In particular, applicants can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the deadline for submission of proposals. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

Please contact us before submitting an Expression of Interest if you have any doubt about your suitability to meet the requirements.

Research Area – Field of expertise

The post will suit ambitious scientists motivated to produce step-change advances in the application of Materials Modelling/Discovery to industrial environments. A PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or applied Computer Science and excellent, transferable skills evident in the disciplines of Materials Modelling and/or Materials Discovery are essential. Experience in some of the next fields is highly desirable:

       - Multi-scale modelling of materials: first principles (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD), Hyperdynamics, Coarse Grain, Discrete Element Methods (DEM) and/or Finite Elements Methods (FEM)

       - Data Mining/Machine Learning/Deep Learning applied to Materials Discovery and/or structure prediction

       - Numerical programming skills (e.g. C/C++, Fortran, Python, Matlab, R, Spark, Hadoop).

       - Capacity to work in a team, flexibility, research motivation and enthusiasm.

       - Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

       - Broad experience, published articles, participation in European projects.

The working language will be English, although knowledge of the Spanish language is desirable.

 It is important to note that this is not an exclusive list. If you have relevant experience and a strong track record (e.g., publications and/or patents) in a related area, you are encouraged to apply and state how you would contribute to ICAMCyL. We are looking for a team of the best people who can apply their skills in the fields of Advanced Materials and Raw Materials, not to fill a restrictive skills list. Applicants who span the above areas, or who have different high-level skills that can contribute to the objectives of ICAMCyL, are encouraged to apply.

How to express your Interest in a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at ICAMCyL

Expressions of Interest should consist of the following documentation:

     - A copy of your CV (max. 2 pages plus full list of publications)

     - A 2 page Research Proposal Summary, which includes details about your research interests

     - Covering letter (max. 1 page)

     - The contact information of two referees

Please submit all documents to: administracion@icamcyl.com and director.general@icamcyl.com by 15 June 2018. Please use the e-mail subject “ICAMCyL MSCA-IF-MAT”.

Most relevant expressions of interest will be shortlisted based on the quality of the research idea, and the candidates will be interviewed as a previous step to make a formal application with ICAMCyL. The selected candidates will be notified before the end of June 2018.

Please note that expressions of interest will not be accepted after midnight (CEST) on Friday 15th June 2018.