PhD student

A leading research institute in Prague, Czechia, named after Nobel laureate in Chemistry, J. Heyrovský, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student for the Department of Theoretical Chemistry.

Type of contract: Temporary

Job status: Full-time

Starting date: 01.10.2026

Job description

Over the last decade our group has developed a theoretical and computational toolkit to describe and simulate collisions between electrons and molecular cations with nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. This PhD project is focused on the further development and improvement of the available theory as well as on an application of the theory to several diatomic molecular targets. Studied molecular systems are relevant in fusion plasmas (molecules of NeH⁺ and BH⁺ ) and in the chemistry reaction chain simulations of interstellar plasmas (OH⁺ molecule). Reaction processes will include the rovibrational heating (and cooling) together with the nuclear dissociation during the recombination collision. The theoretical tools employed in the project will combine the scattering theory, multichannel quantum defect theory and the frame transformation approach.

Required Qualifications

- Master Degree or equivalent

- strong Czech and English communication skills

Preferred skills

- good understanding of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics with focus on continuum states and the scattering theory

- advanced programming skills in Python, Fortran or C++

Desired skills

This is a PhD position, therefore the applicant must be admitted to a PhD programme in the academic year 2026/2027, ideally at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics or at the Faculty of Science of the Charles University. Other faculties will be considered as well.

Benefits

- friendly and motivating working environment

- five weeks paid leave of absence (holidays) per year, an additional 5 days off for

personal reasons, and three days of paid sick leave on top of statutory insurance

- flexible working hours, the possibility of part-time work or hybrid work

- the proximity of childcare groups on the CAS campus

- sports equipment rental, free parking, and access to libraries

- Czech and English language courses

- possibility of further education and career development by participating in courses organized

by our institute.

To apply for the position, please submit your application via the following link: https://my.teamio.com/recruit/public/vacancy?uid=8bddd482-95be-43bb-972d-d28cc97ae52e&rps=202

The application should include a CV, a brief summary of previous research, and the names and e-mail addresses of 1–2 references.