Open PhD position in Ultracold Atomic Gases and Hydrodynamics of Quantum Fluids
AU
We have an opening of a theoretical PhD position in the group of Prof Karen Kheruntsyan to work on the ARC Discovery Project project "Hydrodynamics of Quantum Fluids” at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
The project is motivated by the so-called ``unreasonable effectiveness of hydrodynamics" when it is applied to characterise the out-of-equilibrium behaviour of quantum fluids. Examples here include electron currents in graphene, formation of quark-gluon plasma, and dynamics of ultra-cold quantum gases. The reasons behind the unexpected effectiveness of hydrodynamics in describing these profoundly quantum and physically disparate systems are not well understood. This project intends to develop a systematic understanding of this open question by developing new effective hydrodynamic theories of quantum fluids formed by ultra-cold atomic gases. More specifically, the aims of the project are:
- Aim 1: Formulate new hydrodynamic theories of strongly interacting quantum gases and apply them to understand the out-of-equilibrium behaviour of such gases in quantum shock-wave and related scenarios.
- Aim 2: Establish the range of validity of these theories by benchmarking them against other many-body methods, including exact numerical techniques where applicable.
- Aim 3: Evaluate the thermal conductivity of interacting one-dimensional Bose and Fermi gases and determine the ensuing heat transport in various out-of-equilibrium scenarios.
Classical hydrodynamics or fluid mechanics is one of the oldest phenomenological theories of classical physics that describes liquids and gases in their complex out-of-equilibrium behaviour. When coupled to the thermal conductivity of the fluid, hydrodynamic equations also describe energy transport in the form of heat. The role that hydrodynamics played in understanding, characterising, and controlling the behaviour of classical fluids in the macroscopic world around us has been truly transformative: modern industrial-scale applications of classical hydrodynamics span medicine, aeronautics, meteorology, and climate science—to name just a few.
Unlike the fluid mechanics of classical fluids, developing similarly transformative hydrodynamic theories of quantum fluids remains an outstanding problem in modern quantum science. Such theories could lead to potentially revolutionary applications in emerging quantum technologies. For example, just like in conventional engineering, the understanding of quantum fluid flows and heat transfer is expected to play a crucial role in quantum engineering applications, such as the design of quantum thermal machines, the control of heat conduction in quantum nanowires, and the fabrication of new energy-efficient materials.
The due date for applications is 22 January 2024, and you can apply through the following webpage:
Please check out the above webpage in advance for all the documents that you will need to supply during the online application process. These should include:
(see https://study.uq.edu.au/admissions/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/submit-your-application)
* Academic CV (resume)
* Academic transcript
* English language proficiency information (All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements. Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.
* Degree certificate
* References (names and contact details of two referees)
* Copy of the passport
* proof of citizenship, if you are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand by birth
Overall, the timeline for commencing the PhD program is no later than the Research Quarter 4 (RQ4 in UQ pages), which is October 2024, but the sooner you can start the better (depending, of course, on how long will it take to obtain the Australian visa). If you can't commence by RQ4, I will loose the funding for this scholarship, so please take this into the consideration, and please share with me your own thought and expectations about your availability for commencing this PhD program.
Applicants should contact Karen Kheruntsyan <karen.kheruntsyan@uq.edu.au> for any questions.