The International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM²) at Hiroshima University is seeking Postdoctoral Fellows in the field of Quantum Matter. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a world-class interdisciplinary team pushing the boundaries of research in topology, chirality with an emphasis on sustainability.

Research Areas & Focus

We are hiring candidates who have an interest in fusion research with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Experimental or theoretical studies of topological structures in real and momentum space and their roles in condensed matter phases and physical properties.  

• Synthesis of novel quantum materials, e.g. chiral magnetic molecules, and experimental or theoretical characterization of topological structures, e.g. magnetic solitons in chiral magnets.

• Experimental or theoretical research on novel states of matter under extreme conditions, the origin of mass, physical properties of the inner structures of neutron stars, and new theories beyond the standard model, as well as their analogies and in-laboratory experimental tests in material systems.

• Research on topological structures in momentum space, topological order, and synthetic space topology.

• “Cosmology in-laboratory” or “particle/nuclear physics in-laboratory” experimental research.  For example, research that gains insights into the QCD phase diagram and universality of phase transitions using spin systems.

• Interdisciplinary studies on knotted chiral meta matter, exploring how topology and chirality shape matter across scales, from big to small.

WPI-SKCM² postdocs should have a strong interest in fusion research and should actively collaborate across disciplines, including math, chemistry, biophysics, condensed matter physics, materials science, and others. Postdocs will actively contribute to the knotted chiral meta matter paradigm that probes the fundamental laws of nature at scales from its smallest building blocks to the entire Universe through interdisciplinary studies in topology and chirality.  Read more here.

Mentorship & Collaboration Structure

Postdocs will have three WPI-SKCM² mentors:

• Primary Mentor: PIs eligible to serve as primary mentors in the Quantum Matter thrust include: Dr. Claire Donnelly and Professors Katsuya Inoue, Kenta Kuroda, Andrey Leonov, Akio Kimura, Shuichi Murakami, Kenta Shigaki, Ivan Smalyukh, Chihiro Sasaki

• Second Mentor: A PI from a different thrust to support fusion research. 

• Third Mentor: Any faculty member affiliated with the center.  

At least one mentor would ideally be from outside of Japan, to enable international research exchange, and having more than three mentors is possible.  Information about potential mentors can be found here.

About WPI-SKCM²

As a research center under the Japanese government’s World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), WPI-SKCM² pioneers a new interdisciplinary research paradigm known as "knotted chiral meta matter" (KCM²), which cross-pollinates topology and chirality across disciplines and scales. While our work is rooted in fundamental research, many of WPI-SKCM² efforts aim to advance technologies that address knotty global challenges like growing energy demand and climate change.

About the Role, Benefits and Working Environment

3-5 positions are available for highly qualified candidates in the Quantum Matter thrust.

Our Postdoctoral Fellow positions typically run for three years with the potential for a two-year extension based on job performance, funding availability, and ongoing operational needs. 

Each postdoc will have a primary mentor and two co-mentors from different fields and/or countries.  Potential mentors and the corresponding institutions, including Hiroshima University, Institute of Science Tokyo, MIT, RIKEN, Cambridge University, CU-Boulder, and many more, can be found here.

Salaries are competitive, comparable to those at other prestigious international institutions.  Additionally, postdocs are eligible for startup funds to support collaborative research, and funding to travel to conferences and schools organized by WPI-SKCM², as well as to visit international WPI-SKCM² nodes for research collaborations.

As a WPI research center, WPI-SKCM² fosters an international research environment where about 50% of researchers are non-Japanese, with English being the official language. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals worldwide, including women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, or gender identity, or other characteristics.

Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in mathematics; physical, chemical, or biological sciences; engineering; or related fields

• Strong record of academic publishing

• Interest in WPI-SKCM² fusion research that contributes to sustainability

• Proficiency in English

Required documents

• Cover letter (including the name(s) of the mentors you wish to work with according to the Mentor & Collaboration Structure listed above.  See list here)

• Curriculum vitae (including email address and citizenship) 

• A list of publications 

• A list of 3 references with contact information (please include email and phone information)

All application documents should be uploaded via our main AcademicJobsOnline.org posting that collects applications for all available postdoctoral positions: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27708

(registration required)

Application Review, Deadline & Contact

The positions are screened regularly and filled on a rolling basis, but for full consideration for spring 2025, candidates should apply before March 15, 2025.

Personal information obtained from application documents will not be used or provided to any third party for purposes other than the necessary procedures related to personnel affairs, salary, and welfare.

Email inquiries regarding the application process may be directed to chiral_at_office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp.