Recruiting

Since January 2025, I am a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Research Fellow at the University of Manchester. My lab is centered on theoretical and computational, ab-initio and machine learning, modelling of complex electron density effects in two-dimensional materials.

PhD

Neural Quantum States for Automated Discovery of Emergent Quantum Phases in Two-Dimensional Materials — a funded PhD project using neural quantum state methods to automate the identification of emergent correlated phases in 2D materials and moiré systems.

Multi-modal AI models for designer ferroelectric devices (EPSRC CDT in Materials 4.0, Henry Royce Institute). This fully-funded project investigates multilayer functional devices built from stacked 2D semiconductors and magnetic materials. Using high-throughput DFT, machine-learning interatomic potentials (ACE/MACE), and multi-modal charge-aware models, we will explore how chemistry, stacking sequence, and interfacial twist control ferroelectric responses in sliding ferroelectric tunnel junctions, field-tuneable optoelectronics, and multiferroic memories.

Post-doctoral fellows

We’re always keen to hear from strong applicants — please email a CV and a short statement.

If you’re interested in working with me, drop an email to james [dot] mchugh [at] manchester [dot] ac [dot] uk sharing more about your interests and background.