PhD Position for Advanced Nearest Neighbour Models for Active Matter
PhD Position for Advanced Nearest Neighbour Models for Active Matter
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Job Description
Would you find it exciting to work on both theoretical and applied mathematics and experience how they can simultaneously advance each other Would you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research group Would you like to work on a project that might resonate with multiple aspects of your background and interests Do you find satisfaction in communicating mathematics well Then we are looking for someone just like you to join our research project. We are a team of four mathematicians working on mathematical theory relevant to active matter together with two scientists who work directly with active matter. We are seeking a highly motivated colleague to collaborate with us in develop new mathematical theory motivated by active matter applications.
Join us in seeking exciting new developments using graph theory in nearest neighbor models for active matter!
Do you enjoy working with graph theory and seeing how functions on graphs can inform real-world applications Are you fascinated by how the local dynamics of nearest neighbour models can determine the macroscale behaviour of a system Do you want to understand how matter self-organizes Then consider advancing these theories with us. In this project we aim to extend the powerful tools of statistical mechanics on graph and network models to broader applications in soft and active matter that is the emergent behavior of living materials that can move independently. We will incorporate multi-body interactions such as cell volume energy terms as hypergraphs and higher-order external fields that influence cell motility and arise in classical models of cell sheets such as the Vertex and cellular Potts models. We will specifically consider dynamic graphs that can reorganize both for cell sheet models in 2d and for experimental 3d systems of entangled active polymers that share properties with clusters of living worms.
This project involves an interdisciplinary team with broad synergy across mathematics physics and biology whose members are:
- Senja Barthel -- Deblais -- Ellis-Monaghan Henkes --
- Han Peters -- Regts --
This project is conducted under the auspices of the consortium Emergence at all Scales (EAAS). EAAS is the national flag-carrier of the NWA route 2 game changer Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (). EAAS combines 8 Dutch and 1 Ukrainian university as well as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in an interdisciplinary and collaborative endeavour aimed at understanding emergent phenomena across scales combining multiple fields including physics mathematics astronomy history & philosophy of science and social science. Its approach to societal engagement throughout the projects 5-year lifetime is equally interdisciplinary with a wide variety of activities ranging from art/science programmes large scale science festivals citizen science and educational initiatives at various levels. EAAS is hiring a total of 20 PhD/postdoc scientists to join the team and our project/group leaders share the ambition of gender parity in hires across EAAS. Within this context we invite interested candidates to apply for the PhD/PD position and work on the sub-project Phase Transitions in Active Matter. We particularly encourage women and candidates from other under-represented groups to apply.
This is what you will do
Tasks and responsibilities:
- If selected for this position you are expected to participate in the various scientific activities meetings and workshops of the EAAS consortium;
- form interdisciplinary collaborations across fields and geographical locations within the Netherlands;
- acquire skills by active participation in science communication activities interacting with public audiences and taking part in a pilot programme where experience can be acquired in high school science teaching;
- use graph theoretical tools to develop new fundamental frameworks and analytic tools for more broadly applicable statistical mechanics models;
- test possible applications of your approach on artificial and real data;
- write scientific texts and publish your work in peer-reviewed international journals (during the PhD you will initially work on a pre-specified subproject of your choosing which allows you to develop your knowledge of the topic and research skills. As you gain experience you will increasingly shape your own research directions);
- present your work in seminars and at national and international workshops and conferences;
- attend the weekly seminars and discussion days at participating institutes;
- participate in teaching at the KdVI and assist with the supervision of related research projects for Bachelor and Master students;
- participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training program;
- complete and defend a PhD thesis within the appointment duration of four years.
What we ask of you
Your experience and profile:
- You have a masters in mathematics or a joint masters including mathematics e.g. math/physics or math/biology;
- You have a good command of spoken and written English especially writing formal mathematical proofs;
- You are productive working both independently and with a team;
- You have experience or interest in teaching with an encouraging style.
This is what we offer you
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible but ideally no later than 1 Jan 2026. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
You will work in this team
If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We will consider applications for this position until 10 september or the position is filled whichever comes first.
If you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file following the order below):
- A detailed CV (resume) including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- A letter of motivation approximately one page including your earliest possible starting date;
- Transcripts for both your bachelors and masters grades.
- A sample of a mathematical proof you have written for example for a course or in a thesis;
- If available a thesis or project report that demonstrates your academic writing skills;
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation upon request.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details:national knowledge security guidelines)
Employment Type
Full Time
