PhD position Forces in Entangled Active Polymer-Like Matter

Are you a highly motivated physics graduate with a strong interest insoft matter active matter and statistical mechanics We are looking for an ambitious PhD candidate to join an interdisciplinary research project that combinesprecision experiments on living systemswithcoarse-grained simulations to uncover the mechanics of active polymer-like/filamentous matter.

Join us!

You will join an interdisciplinary research project at the frontier of soft matter and active matter physics investigating how forces emerge propagate and organize in active polymer-like systems. As a PhD candidate you will work on a cutting-edge research programme that combines precision experiments on living systems with coarse-grained simulations aiming to uncover the mechanical principles underlying collective behavior in active matter.

You will be embedded in the Soft Matter Group at the Institute of Physics (IoP) within a vibrant and collaborative research environment that brings together experimentalists theorists and computational physicists. You will receive close supervision strong technical support and ample freedom to develop your own scientific ideas within the scope of the project.

Scientific context

A grand challenge in active matter physics is to understand howcollective mechanical propertiesemerge from the interactions of self-driven constituents. While classical models successfully describe point-like active particles (e.g. flocking models) many real active systems includingworms ants cytoskeletal networks and robotic swarms are composed ofelongated flexible units with internal degrees of freedom. These systems can align deform and entangle giving rise to collective behaviors and mechanical responses that have no equilibrium counterpart.

Recent work has shown that livingTubifex tubifexworms behave as centimeter-scaleactive polymers: individual worms act as self-propelled filaments while groups form highly entangled dynamic aggregates with unusual activity-dependent mechanical properties. However themicroscopic origins of these collective forces from single-worm mechanics to pairwise interactions and many-body entanglement remain largely unexplored.

This is what you will do

You will investigate the mechanics of active polymer-like matter using a hierarchical approach progressing from individual active filaments to interacting pairs and finally to dense entangled collectives. Your work will directly contribute to answering how activity flexibility and interactions generate novel mechanical properties far from equilibrium.

In practice you will:

• Design and perform precision experiments to measure forces and deformations in livingTubifex tubifexworms using micro-mechanical manipulation and high-resolution imaging.
• Quantify single-worm mechanics pairwise interaction forces and collective resistance in entangled aggregates.
• Develop and run coarse-grained simulations of active polymers closely calibrated to experimental data to disentangle passive elasticity from active force generation.
• Combine experimental and numerical results to build a coherent physical picture of force transmission and emergence in active polymer systems.
• Analyze and interpret data using tools from soft matter physics statistical mechanics and non-equilibrium physics.
• Present your results at group meetings national and international conferences and publish them in leading peer-reviewed journals.

You will be encouraged to take intellectual ownership of your project propose new ideas and directions and shape the research as it develops. Throughout the PhD you will be supported through regular supervision training opportunities and close interaction with researchers across the Institute of Physics.

What we ask of you

You are curious about physical mechanisms behind complex non-equilibrium systems and enjoy working at the interface of experiments and theory. When research becomes challenging or results are unexpected you stay engaged organized and motivated to understand what is happening. You like working both independently and as part of a collaborative research team and you are comfortable discussing ideas and results with others.

Your experience and profile:

• You hold (or are about to obtain) a Masters degree in Physics or a closely related field.
• You are interested in soft matter physics active matter statistical mechanics or non-equilibrium systems.
• You enjoy quantitative analysis and are motivated to learn advanced experimental and/or computational techniques.
• You communicate clearly in English both orally and in writing and are willing to further develop your scientific communication skills.
• You take responsibility for your research tasks and follow through on experiments simulations and data analysis.
• Experience in supporting tasks and the willingness to take the responsibility for administrative tasks such as organisation and coordination of university education outreach and research;
• You are a motivational teacher with an encouraging teaching style.

A plus: It is considered an advantage if you have prior experience with one or more of the following: numerical simulations (e.g. molecular dynamics or Brownian dynamics) experimental work in soft or biological matter image or data analysis or interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics and biology.

This is what we offer you

We offer 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 gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week ranges between 3059 to 3881 (Scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 83% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This employment 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

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8000 as well as 1800 members of staff working in education research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works be it elementary particles the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP as part of the Faculty of Science is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam the institute is part of a strong physics center of international standing.

The Van der Waals - Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI) Quantum Materials (QMat) and Soft Matter (SM).

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. We accept applications until and including.

If you have any questions or if you require additional information please contact:

• Antoine Deblais (assistant) professor email address:
• T:

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

The UvA attaches great importance to the contribution of female scientists in research and education. We particularly encourage women and candidates from other under-represented groups to apply. We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply even if you dont meet every requirement.