PhD position in mechanics of soft active matter

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Are you interested in doing original research at the interface between Statistical Physics, Soft Matter and Biology? We are seeking an excellent, highly motivated PhD candidate to carry out interdisciplinary research at the frontier of active matter and mechanics. Active matter is an exciting class of non-equilibrium materials which consist of objects transforming energy from their surroundings at a single particle level into motion. Examples range from biological matter such as bacterial colonies, schools of fish, flocks of birds to collectives of artificial self-propelled particles. The interactions of individual active agents with each other and with external stimuli lead to spectacular patterns of collective motion. Activity (self-propulsion), also endows these materials with intriguing mechanical properties that have no equilibrium counterparts. Understanding the non-equilibrium statistical Physics and mechanical properties of such active systems is a major challenge. We will employ particle-based simulations to gain deepened insights into the role of activity on the collective dynamics and mechanical properties of active magnetic suspensions and self-propelled polymeric systems. The results of this research could be exploited to design a new class of man-made active materials with controllable mechanical response.

What are you going to do?

In this PhD project, you are expected to do original research in the field of active matter and develop particle-based simulations for active magnetic colloids or active polymers and investigate.
You will:

• boost our understanding of collective dynamics and mechanics of active materials;
• participate in the many seminars by internal and external speakers as well as journal clubs and group activities;
• present your results in internal seminars and national and international workshop/conferences;
• write research publications;
• collaborate with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other faculty members.

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