Researcher (m/f/d) – ARIA AI Scientist Project

Project Details

Duration: 6 months Start: ASAP Location: Remote

Project Context

We are hiring a Researcher for a project funded under the ARIA AI Scientist Call, focused on building autonomous AI systems for scientific discovery in neuromorphic materials.

The project investigates charge transport mechanisms---Variable-Range Hopping (VRH) vs. Space-Charge Limited Current (SCLC)---by tightly integrating AI reasoning agents with computational semiconductor physics simulations.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team with two PhD students and one senior researcher, under the supervision of Professor Ustyuzhanin.

Your Role

You will develop the core infrastructure and simulation stack enabling an AI agent to autonomously:

• generate hypotheses,
• design and run physics-based simulations,
• analyze results and compare transport models.

Key tasks include:

• Building a unified database for simulation and experimental data
• Integrating with existing API for hypothesis generation
• Deploying cloud-based compute infrastructure (GPU/CPU)
• Developing an LLM-based simulation agent using structured tool use (MCP)
• Selecting and integrating a semiconductor simulation engine (e.g. DEVSIM, NanoHub, Silvaco, open-source alternatives)
• Implementing automated analysis pipelines (I--V fitting, activation energies, Bayesian VRH vs. SCLC comparison)
• Producing publication-quality figures and fully reproducible workflows

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience with computational modeling, simulations, or scientific software
• Strong Python skills; experience with cloud/HPC is a plus
• Interest in AI-for-science and autonomous discovery systems

We welcome applications from researchers at different career stages, provided they have relevant expertise and a strong research background aligned with the project.

Application

Please send a CV and a short statement of relevant experience or research interests. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Benefits

• Salary: 4000-6000 EUR (estimated)
• Remote Model: N/A
• Country Code: de