Post Doctoral Associate - Saidi Laboratory

Post Doctoral Associate - Saidi Laboratory
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26001756)

Wissam Saidi's research program focuses on integrating materials modeling, multiscale simulations, and machine learning/AI to design materials with tailored properties. By combining first-principles methods with data-driven models, the work enables efficient exploration of complex materials spaces and accelerates discovery. Applications span catalytic systems and functional materials, with an emphasis on linking atomic-scale behavior to macroscopic performance.

Project Description: The position will focus on advancing the efficiency and scalability of all-electron density functional theory (DFT) calculations by leveraging the separation between core and valence electrons to reduce the computational cost of core-electron treatment without compromising accuracy. These developments will accelerate high-fidelity electronic structure calculations and enable the generation of large, high-quality datasets for training machine learning interatomic potentials, bridging first-principles accuracy with the efficiency required for large-scale and multiscale simulations, with an emphasis on catalytic systems.

Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related field.
2. Expertise in first principles and/or machine learning based calculations (DFT, DFT+U, hybrid functionals) for materials.
3. Experience with high-performance computing and programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Fortran, or similar) is preferred.
4. Familiarity with FHI-aims DFT code

Opportunities: The postdoc will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, present at conferences, and publish in high-impact journals. This project is supported by NSF.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category: Part-time regular
Campus: Pittsburgh
Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
Required Attachments: Curriculum Vitae

Assignment Category Part-time regular

PI283504782