PhD Position in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics (three years) (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%;) by 12-2026, we are looking for one

PhD Position in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics (three years) (m/f/x)

The Research Group of Prof. Ilya M. Eremin at Theoretical Physics III at Ruhr University Bochum conducts research on the theory of quantum materials, with a particular focus on strongly correlated electron systems, unconventional superconductivity, magnetism, and collective phenomena. Our research aims at developing a microscopic understanding of emergent electronic phases in quantum materials and their experimentally observable signatures. A central focus of our current research is the physics of unconventional superconductors and correlated quantum materials, including recently discovered nickelate superconductors. These systems provide a particularly rich platform in which electronic correlations, orbital degrees of freedom, magnetism, structural effects, and superconductivity are intimately intertwined. Understanding their phase diagrams and excitation spectra requires the development and application of advanced many-body theoretical approaches.

One PhD position in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics is available in the Research Group Theoretical Physics III at Ruhr University Bochum. The successful candidate will investigate microscopic mechanisms of unconventional superconductivity and competing electronic phases in strongly correlated quantum materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on multiorbital systems such as bilayer and multilayer nickelates, although related problems in cuprates and other unconventional superconductors may also be addressed. The project will combine analytical and numerical many-body techniques, including tight-binding and multiorbital models, Green's-function methods, mean-field and Bogoliubov–de Gennes approaches, and methods for treating electronic correlations and collective excitations. Depending on the specific research direction and the candidate's interests, functional renormalization group, slave-boson/Gutzwiller approaches, random-phase approximation, and numerical calculations of experimentally measurable response functions may also be employed. An important aspect of the project will be the close connection between microscopic theory and current experiments, including spectroscopy, transport, and scattering measurements. The PhD researcher will work in an active international research environment and interact closely with theoretical and experimental collaborators in Germany and abroad.

• Scope: part-time
• Duration: fixed-term, 3 Jahre
• Start: by 12-2026
• Apply by: 2026-10-05

Your tasks:

• •Development and investigation of microscopic theoretical models for strongly correlated quantum materials and unconventional superconductors.
• •Study of superconductivity, magnetism, density-wave states, and competing or intertwined electronic orders in multiorbital systems.
• •Analytical and numerical calculation of electronic structures, superconducting gap functions, collective excitations, and experimentally accessible response functions.
• •Development and application of advanced many-body methods, depending on the specific research problem.
• •Comparison of theoretical predictions with experimental results from spectroscopy, transport, and scattering experiments.
• •Development, implementation, and documentation of numerical codes for theoretical calculations.
• •Close collaboration with other members of the research group and with national and international theoretical and experimental partners.
• •Presentation of research results at national and international conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings.
• •Publication of the results in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Your profile:

• •A successfully completed university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in physics, with a strong background in theoretical physics.
• •Very good knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics.
• •A strong interest in condensed matter theory, quantum many-body physics, and unconventional superconductivity.
• •Previous knowledge of many-body theory, superconductivity, magnetism, strongly correlated systems, or quantum field theoretical methods is advantageous.
• •Experience with numerical calculations and scientific programming, for example in Python, C/C++, Julia, Mathematica, or comparable environments, is desirable.
• •Candidates should be motivated to develop and apply analytical as well as numerical theoretical methods.
• •Ability to work independently and reliably while contributing actively to collaborative research projects.
• •Good communication skills and willingness to work in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
• •Good command of written and spoken English is expected.

[https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/76d5e2ffa6aeb65ee350dd2e4608df0fd642d8990?ref=AfA](https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/76d5e2ffa6aeb65ee350dd2e4608df0fd642d8990?ref=AfA)