Welcome!

My name is Pedro Pires Ferreira, and I am currently a Ph.D. researcher fellow at the University of São Paulo in the ComputEEL research group and at the Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics of the Graz University of Technology in the Christoph Heil’s group. My research interest relies on Computational Materials Science, mainly focused on superconductivity, topological semimetals and insulators, statistical thermodynamics, and phase diagram. My leisure interests include reading (Eric Hobsbawm, Bertrand Russell, Gabriel García Márquez, J.R.R. Tolkien, classic literature), street running, music, Magic: The Gathering, and board games.

Interests
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Density Functional Theory
  • Electronic structure
  • Superconductivity
  • Electron-phonon interactions
  • Evolutionary crystal structure prediction
  • Topological quantum materials
  • Low dimensional systems
  • Thermodynamic modeling
  • Intermetallic compounds
  • Nuclear materials
  • Microalloyed steels
Education
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, 2024

    University of São Paulo, with doctoral stay at Technische Universität Graz

  • M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering, 2020

    University of São Paulo

  • B.Eng. in Engineering Physics, 2018

    University of São Paulo

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
PhD Researcher Intern
Technische Universität Graz
Apr 2022 – Present Graz, Austria
  • Scientific research
  • QE, VASP, USPEX, EPW, Wannier90, SSCHA, MLIP, SternheimerGW, DFPT, python, matlab, fortran, bash, slurm
 
 
 
 
 
PhD Researcher
University of São Paulo
Oct 2020 – Present Lorena, Brazil
  • Scientific research
  • Supervision of undergrad students: 11 projects
  • Teaching: Solid state physics, solid state chemistry
  • QE, VASP, USPEX, GQCA, EPW, Wannier90, SSCHA, MLIP, SternheimerGW, DFPT, ElaStic, python, fortran, bash, slurm
 
 
 
 
 
MSc Researcher
University of São Paulo
Aug 2018 – Sep 2020 Lorena, Brazil
  • Scientific research
  • Supervision of undergrad projects
  • Teaching: Quantum mechanics, solid state physics
  • QE, Wien2k, ElaStic, python, bash, slurm
 
 
 
 
 
Undergrad Researcher
National Institute for Space Research and University of São Paulo
Jun 2014 – Jul 2018 Lorena, Brazil
  • Scientific research

Prizes, Awards & Fellowships

  • 2023: Nature Communications Editor’s highlight
  • 2023: ICTP 2023 Total Energy and Forces Scholarship
  • 2022: TOFA 2022 Scholarship
  • 2022: ESI-DCAFM-TACO-VDSP 2022 Scholarship
  • 2022: ICTP Wannier 2022 Scholarship
  • 2022: FAPESP Research Internship Abroad Fellowship, 25.000,00 €
  • 2022: SDumont, SINAPAD Petaflopic Computing System, TMD project, 3.000.000 CPU/h
  • 2021: SDumont, SINAPAD Petaflopic Computing System, Fire-resistant steels project, 5.000.000 CPU/h
  • 2021: SDumont, SINAPAD Petaflopic Computing System, ComputEEL project, 5.000.000 CPU/h
  • 2020: FAPESP Doctoral Fellowship, R$ 221.359,32
  • 2019: Quantum Design International Prize, in recognition of obtaining the degree of BSc. Engineering Physics with the highest distinction
  • 2018: FAPESP Master Fellowship, R$ 55.594,44
  • 2018: Best undergraduate student of Engineering Physics, EEL-USP
  • 2017: FAPESP Undergrad Fellowship, R$ 8.189,28
  • 2016: Best undergraduate work at SICINPE, National Space Research Agency

Publications

Search for ambient superconductivity in the Lu-N-H system
Motivated by the recent report of room-temperature superconductivity at near-ambient pressure in N-doped lutetium hydride, we performed …
Superconductivity in Te-Deficient ZrTe2
We present structural, electrical, and thermoelectric potential measurements on high-quality single crystals of ZrTe1.8 grown from …
Synergism between B and Nb Improves Fire Resistance in Microalloyed Steels
The long exposure of structural components to high temperatures (above 600 °C) negatively changes their mechanical properties, severely …
Nodeless time-reversal symmetry breaking in the centrosymmetric superconductor Sc5Co4Si10 probed by muon-spin spectroscopy
We investigate the superconducting properties of Sc5Co4Si10 using low-temperature resistivity, magnetization, heat capacity, and …
Evidence for multiband superconductivity and charge density waves in Ni-doped ZrTe2
We carried out a comprehensive study of the electronic, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties of Ni-doped ZrTe2. High quality …

Contact