Postdoctoral Scholar in Theoretical Chemistry

Postdoctoral Scholar in Theoretical Chemistry

University of California Merced

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Theoretical Chemistry.
Salary range: See Table 23 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073 - $82,836.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: January 1, 2026
Position duration: 2 year position

Application Window
Open date: October 6, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Oct 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description
Applications are invited for a full-time postdoctoral research position in Professor Henrik R. Larsson's Theoretical Chemistry/Computational Physics group at University of California, Merced. The postdoctoral scholar will work on the DOE-funded Early Career project 'Rigorous quantum simulation tools for correlated attosecond electron dynamics in molecules.'
The position will involve developing new methods related to tensor network states (e.g. TD-DMRG, MCTDH) to simulate correlated attosecond electron dynamics in molecules. Of particular interest are candidates who are interested in research in one or more of the following:

• Attosecond electron/nonadiabatic quantum dynamics
• ionization dynamics
• methods to describe the electronic continuum
• multireference electronic structure
• tensor network states

Available computational resources include two shared clusters at Merced, computing nodes dedicated to the group, and national supercomputing centers. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to present and engage at international conferences, writing journal articles, and assist with mentoring students. More information about the Larsson group can be found at https://larsson-research.de/.
Some relevant publications are:

• Wahyutama, Larsson, J. Chem. Theory Comput., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.4c01185
• Larsson, Mol. Phys, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1080/00268976.2024.2306881
• Larsson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c06357
• Larsson et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00957

Qualifications
Basic qualifications
Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics, or a related field. Experience with quantum simulations (broadly defined), programming (Python, Julia, C++, Fortran, etc), and excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
Preferred qualifications
The ideal candidate has experience in developing computational methods in the fields of theoretical chemistry/physics, particularly for attosecond electron dynamics and/or tensor network states.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
• Examples of developed computer code, link to source code repository, or description of developed proprietary code (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF01998
Help contact: snspersonnel@ucmerced.edu

Job location
Merced, CA