SoftComp

2nd Edible Soft Matter conference
2022-07-09 - 2022-07-13 | Wageningen University & Research Omnia Conference Center, Hoge Steeg 2, Wageningen, Netherlands
We are organizing a 2nd Workshop and Conference in July on “Edible Soft Matter” in Wageningen for July 2022. We are covering a large range of relevant topics in the food and soft matter area, and we would like to invite each of you to make a contribution. Please see the website more form information.
Regards,
ESM organizing committee

IOP Advanced School in Liquids and Complex Fluids ‘Solutions in the Summer’
2022-07-04 12:00 - 2022-07-07 13:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Crete
Dear colleagues,
Registration is open for the next IOP Advanced School in Liquids and Complex Fluids ‘Solutions in the Summer’. The School, organised by the IOP Liquids and Complex Fluids Group, will take place on 4-7 July 2022 in Sheffield, UK.
The aim of this School is to provide a comprehensive foundation for researchers in the field of soft matter, liquids and complex fluids. The lectures will introduce key topics of current interest together with the theoretical, experimental and computer simulation approaches used to address them. The School is directed towards postgraduate students from a wide range of backgrounds including physics, chemistry, chemical engineering and biophysics.
The School website can be found at https://iop.eventsair.com/aslcf2022
The registration deadline is 1 July 2022.

Marie Curie Cofund post-doctoral positions @Ca' Foscari University of Venice
2022-06-28 08:00 - 2022-08-06 17:00 | Crete
We are writing to promote Ca’ Foscari’s “G@V – Research and Training for Global Challenges” Co-fund Fellowship Programme, a 60-month project launched by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and jointly funded by the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND scheme that is designed to offer 15 24-month post-doctoral fellows from around the globe a truly international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral training experience.

The project aims to strengthen high-profile researchers’ capacities through collaboration with Ca’ Foscari’s Institute for Global Challenges in order to provide Europe and the world with a pool of researchers capable of bridging the gap between academic and applied research, and between research and the market.

Eight fellows were selected last year, and the call for applications for the remaining 7 fellowships is now online. The deadline to apply is AUGUST 5.

Applicants are requested to submit their own research proposal in connection with one of Ca’ Foscari’s six multidisciplinary Research for Global Challenges Institutes (RGCI), selecting the one best suited to support their individual research and training needs.

Anyone interested in the fellowships can register to attend an information webinar that will be held Wednesday, June 29 at 3pm (Rome – CEST).

For further information, please write directly to globalvenice@unive.it.

15th Bombannes summer school on scattering applied to soft condensed matter
2022-06-20 18:00 - 2022-06-28 18:00 | Carcan-Maubuisson (Gironde, France), France
The “Bombannes” summer school will take place from June 20th to 28th 2022 in Carcan-Maubuisson (Gironde, France), and pre-registration is now open.
This school offers a one-week high-level training for PhD-students and young researchers every two years – 2020 had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. By nature, scattering methods are well-suited for studying the structure and dynamics of systems organized on the nanoscale, which is typically the case for polymers, surfactants, or colloidal systems, i.e. the building blocks of Soft Matter.
The school starts with an introduction to instrumentation and experimental methods in scattering, covering both dynamics and structural aspects. It teaches scattering theory (from data treatment to the inverse scattering problem) and special topics in the field of soft condensed matter, including microemulsions, biological applications, colloidal aggregation, polymer and polymer processing, and scattering under external constraints. Lectures have been published in a successful book (Neutrons, X-ray and Light: Scattering Methods Applied to Soft Condensed Matter; Lindner, P. ; Zemb, Th.; North Holland), which is included in the participation fee and distributed as lecture material to all students.
Note that pre-registration before 20/02/2022 is mandatory, and participants will be selected by the organizing committee – note the limited number of available places.

Research Professor KU Leuven "Molecular Physical Chemistry of Polymers and Polymer-based Materials"
2022-06-01 08:00 - 2022-09-15 17:00 | Crete
The Department of Chemistry at KU Leuven has an open research professor position in the general field of “Molecular Physical Chemistry of Polymers and Polymer-based Materials”. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2022.
More information regarding this position and on the application procedure can be found through the following link: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60115427?hl=en&lang=en

Tenure-track Junior Professor Chair : New materials and processes with low environmental impact
2022-05-02 08:00 - 2022-07-31 17:00 | Crete
Research project
The scientific project carried out by the Chair is at the intersection of the disciplinary fields of process and material sciences involving the use of supercritical fluids. It will allow the development of studies which will aim at :
– Intensifying the adequacy between the process and the material by improving the process efficiency. It can be achieved by integrating several functions in a single operation and by reducing the consumption of inputs (monomers, additives, catalysts…). The idea is to optimize the physico-chemical properties and/or reactive systems by supercritical fluids as reagents or carrier fluids to provide new functions or as plasticizers to transform heat-sensitive materials such as biobased polymers.
– Making the use of polymeric materials safer in order to increase their recycling towards currently unthinkable applications by achieving total clean-up/purification: offering ultra-pure virgin or recycled polymers,
– Continuously generating materials with properties that are different from those currently proposed: high-performance materials, nano-cellular polymer foams or polymer blends with controlled morphologies.
The deployment of the scientific project relies on a base of existing projects currently composed of 3 PhD on recycling and 4 projects on the purification and development of cellular materials. As soon as he/she is recruited, the person hired will be integrated into the follow-up of the projects. He/she will also supervise the doctoral and post-doctoral students recruited. They will be assigned to the development of the coupling of fluids under supercritical conditions and polymer processing and, more particularly, they will endeavour to associate conceptual aspects at different scales and states of matter with the experimental part (constitutive laws and scaling laws for complex polymer/supercritical fluids under strong flows, fundamental mechanisms involved in the elaboration of nano-foams assisted by supercritical fluids, understanding of the clean-up processes integrated in a recycling operation).
The overall budget allocated to the project amounts to 650000 € including salaries.
Contacts Head of the lab : Pr Jean-Charles Majesté, majeste@univ-st-etienne.fr
Host laboratory:
The Laboratory « Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères » (UMR CNRS 5223) is a research unit (70 senior scientists /130 Ph-D and postdocs) which focuses on polymer materials, affiliated to CNRS, University of Lyon, INSA and to University Jean Monnet of Saint-Etienne). The laboratory has included in its roadmap the development of cross-disciplinary skills related to major societal challenges in both energy and environmental aspects, including an approach to the development of materials with a virtuous life cycle. The person recruited at the Saint-Etienne site will be able to rely on the laboratory’s platform “FlusCritex” (unique in Europe) dedicated to the coupling of fluids under supercritical conditions and polymer processing. The development of this coupling approach requires the association of conceptual aspects at different scales and states of matter in addition to the experimental component. This conceptualization approach is an important research axis in the laboratory.
Teaching project:
The person recruited as a tenure-track junior professor will be involved (64h/year) in the reinforcement of teaching on eco-design and the valorization of polymeric materials or their recycling, which is one of the objectives of the new Master’s program “Chemistry and Materials Science”. The teaching project will thus participate in the more general dynamics within the establishment to develop the sustainable development and social responsibility theme in which the person recruited will be strongly involved, for example in the design of opening and awareness units.

Postdoc position at Lund University: Characterising concentrated antibody solutions
2022-04-08 08:00 - 2022-05-04 17:00 | Crete
We have an open postdoc position in the Division of Physical Chemistry at Lund University on the biophysical properties of antibody solutions and their investigation with a combination of scattering techniques and computer simulations.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are engineered proteins that can serve as substitute antibodies in the immune system. Due to their high potential in e.g. cancer treatment they attract enormous attention from the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time the formulation of high concentration injectable mAb biologics is very challenging as it is often severely limited due to high turbidity and/or high viscosity.
In this project we aim at establishing an approach to understand the origin of this behaviour and to predict it from low concentration data and mAb molecular structure. The postdoc we are looking for will apply a variety of static and dynamic scattering techniques (based on light and x-rays) on mAb samples, including static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS), and analyse the data. (S)he will also perform microrheology experiments, establish mAb phase/state diagrams and closely work together with simulators and theoreticians in a concerted effort towards a better understanding of the complex solution behaviour of mAbs.
Requirements are:

PhD in Soft Matter Physics, Biophysics, Physical Chemistry or similar with a strong biophysical/biochemical background,
Very good oral and written proficiency in English,
Experience in protein and colloid science,
Experience in scattering techniques applied to soft and biological matter,
Experience in scattering data analysis,
Experience in collaboration with theoreticians and simulators,
Experience in protein sample preparation and handling.

Deadline for application is 4 May 2022
More information and a link for the on-line application can be found at:
https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:494678/

SOFI2 PhD Studentships ×20: Soft Matter for Formulation & Industrial Innovation @Durham, Leeds, Edinburgh Universities
2022-03-22 08:00 - 2022-04-30 17:00 | Crete
20 fully funded, four-year PhD studentships are available in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation (SOFI2 CDT) commencing in September 2022, for graduates in the physical and biological sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Find out more about the projects and and how to apply here
Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces – Durham University

SOFI2 CDT is the successor to the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces (SOFI) which, since 2014 has provided industrially integrated, postgraduate training in research, enterprise and innovation for future leaders in the soft matter academic and industrial sectors. SOFI2 CDT combines expertise from Durham, Leeds and Edinburgh Universities, more than 25 industry partners and national facilities. It brings together more than 60 academics from Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Computing, (Applied) Mathematics and the Durham University Business School.

SOFI2 students will undertake a common 6-month, industry-facing science training course before selecting their research projects at one of the three partner Universities. Approximately half of the projects are expected to be co-sponsored by external partners and all students will have an external co-supervisor.

All successful applicants will be offered a SOFI2 CDT PhD studentship which covers both tuition fees and a living allowance. Up to a maximum of 30% of studentships will be available to International and EU applicants with no additional fee to pay.

Key elements of SOFI2 CDT

World-leading research in all aspects of soft matter science
Integrated training in SOFI2 physics, chemistry, food science and engineering
Learn within an multidisciplinary team of students with different core skills
Innovation and Commercialisation training via the SOFI2 mini-MBA

Postdoc Position Unina
2022-02-11 08:00 - 2022-04-22 17:00 | Crete
We are currently looking for a motivated Postdoc to work on Long Chain Branching in Polyolefins within the framework of GoLBraPol, a research project funded by the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI).
This Project focuses on the relationship between molecular architecture, rheological and processing properties of Sparsely Long Chain Branched Polyolefins (SLCB-PO). A multidisciplinary approach to determine the rheological fingerprint of the SLCB architecture will be set up to link the flow properties to molecular architecture. This will provide the knowledge to govern SLCB processing and tune the mechanical properties of the final product. Experiments will be devised to require very small, milligram-size amounts of polymer, thus making it possible to use high throughput, laboratory-oriented synthesis strategies. The results are expected to pave the way to the use of SLCB-POs in specific processing technologies. The possibility to predict and design the best SLCB-PO material for a specific application will also contribute to a better, more responsible, and sustainable use of polyolefins.
The duration of the fellowship is for one year and can be extended for one more year, to be spent mainly at the University of Naples Federico II. We are looking for a highly motivated experimental researcher with a solid background in engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related field, preferably with knowledge of rheology and soft matter. Experience with experimental research, especially using rheometry and processing techniques, as well as excellent communication and computer skills will be highly beneficial.
The Postdoc position will be assigned based on a public competition. The starting of the activity is flexible, in the time window between June and September 2022.
Interested candidates can send a pre-selection email no later than April 15th, 2022, including a detailed C.V., to:
Nino Grizzuti (nino.grizzuti@unina.it)
Rossana Pasquino (rossana.pasquino@unina.it)
Salvatore Costanzo (salvatore.costanzo@unina.it)

Additional info:

The call for application is now open!

You can find information and documents here:

http://www.unina.it/…/ICMPI_Bando_AR_06_2022_scad.08.04…

Deadline: April 8th

Protein self-assembly and aggregation in electric fields
2021-12-13 08:00 - 2022-03-31 17:00 | Crete
We are currently looking for a motivated PhD student or postdoc to work on protein self-assembly and aggregation in electric fields. Some details can be found below. We would be very grateful if you could forward this information to anyone who might be interested in the position.
Details:
The aim of the project is to explore the phase behavior of proteins under the influence of external electric fields: In how far can electric fields be used to direct protein self-assembly into condensed liquid droplets, crystals and aggregates? Depending on the field strength and frequency, several mechanisms are conceivable: field-induced stresses can alter the shape and internal structure of protein molecules, the electric double layer can be deformed giving rise to changes in the electrostatic interactions, and electric torques can align proteins. The effects of the solution conditions (protein concentration, pH, ionic strength) and electric field parameters (strength and frequency) on the proteins, their state diagram and phase transition kinetics will be systematically investigated by the combined use of circular dichroism spectroscopy, optical microscopy, light and X-ray scattering.
The PhD candidate or postdoc will work at the Research Center Juelich within a common project with the Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf. We are looking for a highly motivated experimental researcher with a solid background in physics, chemistry, or a related field, preferably with knowledge in soft matter and/or biophysics. Experience with experimental research, especially using microscopy and scattering techniques, as well as excellent communication skills and computer skills will be highly beneficial.
Interested candidates are welcome to contact us and encouraged to send their applications (including a detailed CV and lists of grades) electronically as a single PDF. Applications received by 25 January 2022 will be given full consideration.
Dr. K. Kang (FZ Juelich, k.kang@fz-juelich.de, https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cXhAPQ4AAAAJ)
Dr. F. Platten (HHU Duesseldorf, Florian.Platten@hhu.de, https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=W7GL23UAAAAJ)

15 Post-doc positions within the GNeuS project!
2021-11-18 08:00 - 2022-01-15 17:00 | Crete
Research with neutrons, with its interdisciplinary approach, is indispensable for modern science. Taking into consideration tremendous changes in the European neutron landscape and assuming responsibility for sustainability, the neutron community is nowadays facing an important task to ensure long-term perspectives, that essentially depend on its ability to create a new generation of innovative highly-skilled researchers. To tackle this challenge, Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Technical University Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon), partners at the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), are running the Marie-Skłodowska Curie Acton (MSCA) COFUND project “Global Neutron Scientists” (GNeuS) to train young neutron scientists through the establishment of a well-structured postdoctoral research program with a strong interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach and global outreach. Within GNeuS, postdoc grants are offered to solving the grand challenges facing mankind in areas such as environment, energy, key technologies, soft matter and life science as well as improving the existing instrumentation and the ancillary equipments and developing new sources or optimizing the existing ones. During the five year project lifetime and three calls, the three MLZ Partners offer a total of 45 fellowships each with a duration of 24 months.
The GNeuS call N. 1 started on 01.11.2021 and the application submission deadline is on 15.01.2022, and will assign 15 grants.
The call N. 2 and n. 3 will start one and two years later, respectively, and will assign 15 grants each as well.
Please find the links below for detailed information
– The GNeuS portal https://gneus.eu
– Guidelines for applicants https://gneus.eu/guidelines-for-applicants
Application shall be submitted through the GNeuS Online Application System available at https://my.gneus.eu
Contact: GNeuS Management Office email: gneus@mlz-garching.de
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101034266.

Two postdoc positions in Paris on microfluidics
2021-11-07 08:00 - 2022-04-07 17:00 | Crete
Dear Softcomp users
We are advertising two postdoc positions in Paris. The first one deals with hydrogels and microfluidics and is located at ESPCI and the second one deals with proteins, interfaces and microfluidics and will be shared between ESPCI and Ecole Normale Supérieure. These positions will start early 2022.
Best regards
Cécile Monteux
CNRS and ESPCI Paris

PostDoc Postion on finite element modelling @FZJ
2021-10-12 08:00 - 2021-11-30 17:00 | Crete
Dear Colleagues,

We at Jülich recently got funding for an exciting project on Folding of Elastomeres. The groups of Gerhard Gompper and Stefan Förster are starting a new collaboration to create controlled wrinkling patterns. I presented the basics of that project during the last annual meeting. While the position is currently for one year only, extension prospects are looking promising for much more.

For further details go to Forschungszentrum Jülich – Stellenangebote – Postdoc in Folding of Surfaces of Elastic Gels with Finite-Element Models (fz-juelich.de)
or https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2021-390-EN-IBI-5.html

Applications preferentially by email to the PI: j.elgeti@fz-juelich.de
Best Regards
Jens Elgeti

Post-doc position in Montpellier (polymer physics/Hutchinson)
2021-04-15 08:00 - 2021-06-30 17:00 | Crete
Dear all,

In collaboration with the Hutchinson-company, we have an open post-doc position in our group in Montpellier in scattering methods applied to polymer nanocomposites, starting after summer. Details can be found here:

https://cloud.coulomb.umontpellier.fr/index.php/s/S8sFKdFEgte2nmE

Please forward to anyone who might be interested.

Thanks and best regards,
Caroline & Julian

Postdoctoral position: Microfluidic flow of vesicle prototissues as a model for embryonic tissues (U.Montpellier, France)
2021-04-15 08:00 - 2021-06-01 17:00 | Crete
The Soft Matter team of the Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (Montpellier) offers a post-doctoral research contract, funded by the Labex-Numev, for a period of one year (with possibility of renewal) starting on September 1st, 2021. The postdoc will be supervised by Laura Casanellas.
Project description
The goal of the project is to characterize the microfluidic flow of biomimetic tissues as a model system for Xenopus embryos. Specifically, we aim at unveiling the role of cell-cell adhesion on the flow of the tissue. In our team we have recently synthesized a prototissue based on the self-assembly of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV), which displays tuneable GUV adhesion, size and morphology. This model prototissue represents an ideal tool to uncouple adhesion from other physical and biological cell properties (which is extremely challenging in living systems) and to probe its role on the tissue rheology.
Postdoc objectives
The successful candidate will focus on the implementation of microfluidic flow experiments of vesicle prototissues, using different flow geometries. The candidate will first develop the necessary imaging tools necessary to provide a quantitative description of the flow at the tissue and cell levels. Next, the impact of individual GUV properties (adhesion and elasticity) on tissue rheology will be probed in microfluidic confinement. The results will enable to validate the theoretical constitutive equation describing the flow behavior of the biomimetic tissue.
Postdoc Candidate
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to join our team, willing to carry on experimental research in a multi-disciplinary framework. Candidates should hold a PhD in Biophysics, Physics, Fluid Mechanics or Chemistry. Expertise on microfluidics, microscopy, and image analysis will be highly appreciated. Good communication skills and a basic knowledge on programming are required.
Application: Applicants should send as soon as possible their CV, together with a cover letter and one/two references to L. Casanellas (laura.casanellas-vilageliu@umontpellier.fr)
Please, feel free to contact me for any further information.

Funded PhD studentship at Durham University (UK)
2021-02-26 08:00 - 2021-04-20 17:00 | Crete
A fully funded PhD studentship is available in the group of Mark Miller in the Chemistry Department of Durham University (UK) to start in October 2021. The deadline for applications is 19 March.
The project is entitled “Predictive simulations of molecules in membranes” and will focus on developing quantitative coarse-grained models that work over a broad chemical space. One of the key aims is to predict partitioning of and interaction between molecules in lipid bilayers, taking into account the dependence of these properties on the composition of the bilayer itself.
The studentship is for four years and is funded by an Industrial CASE award from Unilever and EPSRC (the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
Candidates should have (or be about to obtain) a strong degree in chemistry, chemical physics, or closely related discipline. Experience of molecular dynamics simulation and of programming is highly desirable.
Durham University has particular strengths in computational chemistry and in soft matter. We have an interdepartmental Centre for Soft Matter and host the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation (SOFI2) with the Universities of Leeds and Edinburgh. Durham itself is a picturesque medieval city in the northeast of England, centred on a World Heritage Site.
For full details of the studentship and how to apply, please see https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/predictive-simulations-of-molecules-in-membranes/?p130265

Fully funded PhD on Machine Learning for Analysis of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectra at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in collaboration with Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW
2021-02-14 08:00 - 2021-03-15 17:00 | Crete
Title: Machine Learning for Analysis of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectra

The PhD in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials, will be awarded by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
https://www.unive.it/pag/33115/

We offer a four year position: The PhD student will spend three years in Venice and one year at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (in Winterthur, close to Zurich). For the year in Switzerland a significant higher compensation is offered due to the higher cost of living in the Zurich area.

Your responsibilities:

Develop machine learning tools for the analysis of NMR spectra
Become an expert in the field of machine learning for NMR technology, with a track record of published own research results and successful technology transfer
Apply for the PhD Program at Università Ca’ Foscari Venice.

The successful candidate has finished a Master’s degree in physics, physical chemistry, or computer science at a research university or a university of applied sciences within the last two years. He or she must have reliable experience in neural networks (e.g., done coursework and own experimentation, ideally proven by successful projects or publications). We expect a good command as well as a passion for programming, ideally in python. Good communication skills in English are also crucial for the work in multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate has sound knowledge of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and is interested in understanding the underlying quantum mechanics. The PhD candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and ZHAW. Particular emphasis is given to developing prototypes, experimenting hands-on with data, and scientific evaluation and publication of results.
Please address further enquiring to Prof. Achille Giacometti (achille.giacometti@unive.it).

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland’s largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 13,000 students and 3,000 faculty and staff.

As one of the leading Engineering Faculties in Switzerland, the ZHAW School of Engineering (SoE) emphasises topics which will be relevant in the future. Our 13 institutes and centres guarantee superior-quality education, research and development with a focus on the areas of energy, mobility, information and health.

Since 2013 the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics (IAMP) has teamed up with five other institutes from three departments to establish one of the first interdisciplinary Data Science Centres in Europe – the ZHAW Datalab (www.zhaw.ch/datalab). It runs a focus area on deep learning methodology, spanning several research groups, with several multi-year research projects on the applicability of reinforcement learning to areas from home automation to applications in medical technology.

Within the Research Group Applied Complex Systems Sciences of the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics (www.zhaw.ch/iamp ), we are looking for a highly motivated and excellent candidate as:

Two professorships in chemistry at Durham University, UK
2021-01-20 08:00 - 2021-03-16 17:00 | Crete
Dear colleagues,
Durham University (UK) is seeking to appoint two talented individuals to the role of Professor of Chemistry with research and teaching interests in the broad fields of:
Post 1. Organic or bio-organic functional materials chemistry (including synthetic chemical biology or biological chemistry, catalysis, polymers)
Post 2. Experimental soft matter (including surfaces and interfaces) or polymer chemistry (including biopolymers and extended functional organic molecules).
We are particularly eager to hear from applicants with strengths in synthetic chemistry.
Further details about the posts and how to apply can be found here:
https://durham.taleo.net/careersection/du_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=20000932&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FLondon
Should you wish to be considered for both positions, there is no need to apply twice, but please indicate as much in your application cover letter.
Durham Chemistry is one of the very best UK chemistry departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. The Department was ranked 1st for research impact and 5th overall in REF2014 (the most recent national research assessment in the UK) in terms of grade point average. It routinely features high in national league tables and is 2nd in the Guardian University League Table 2021 and 4th in the Complete University Guide 2021. An overview of the Department of Chemistry can be found at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry/
If you have any questions about these positions, please contact Prof. Lian Hutchings (l.r.hutchings@durham.ac.uk)
With kindest regards,
Lian Hutchings
Mark Miller

Postdoc position in experimental soft matter physics @ Laboratoire Charles Coulomb, Montpellier
2020-11-20 08:00 - 2020-12-05 17:00 | Crete
We are seeking for a highly motivated postdoc to join the Soft Matter team at Laboratoire Charles Coulomb, Montpellier (France). Ideally, the start date would be February 2021. The project is funded through the French National Research Agency grant “THELECTRA” (Thermoresponsive electroadsorption).
The postdoc will investigate how the electrostatic adsorption of charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) affects the stability, the rheology, and the dynamics at the microscopic scale of suspensions of thermoresponsive ionic microgels with a charge opposite in sign to that of the PEs. She / he will explore the state diagram of PEs-microgel complexes in terms of rheology as a function of different parameters, such as temperature, concentration of PEs and microgels or their deformability. She / he will use a set of complementary experimental techniques, which include an original set-up coupling light scattering and rheological measurements, to determine the microscopic dynamics of PE-microgel complexes formed at high concentrations, both at rest and under large shear strains. A quantitative comparison between the microscopic dynamics and the macroscopic mechanical properties of PE-microgel suspensions will be performed to reveal the origin of phenomena such as yielding, aging and possibly thixotropy.
Such a fundamental understanding will be used to obtain a proof of concept for the design of a gray water treatment cell. This cell will use ionic microgels to physically adsorb a large class of ionic waste, removing them from the water to be purified.
The position is for 24 months. For further details, and to apply online, please visit https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5221-DOMTRU-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN.
Interested individuals can also contact me via email (domenico.truzzolillo@umontpellier.fr) or via my website (https://domenicotruzzolillo.jimdofree.com/contacts/)
The closing date for the application is december 1st.
Please feel free to disseminate to anybody that might be interested.
Domenico Truzzolillo

International Conference “Motile Active Matter”
2020-10-26 10:30 - 2020-10-29 19:00 | Online event
The international conference “Motile Active Matter”, organized by the DFG Priority Programme 1726 “Microswimmers”, brings together scientists from the various disciplines involved in research on active matter, disseminating recent progresses and highlighting future challenges. Topics include:
• Cells and Microorganisms
• Artificial and Biological Microswimmers
• Collective Behavior
• Steering and Navigation
• Confinement and External Fields
• Statistical Mechanics of Active Matter
Participation is free of charge and only possible after registration via the conference website. You will receive a link to the conference site by email.

PhD position F/M in materials chemistry/polymer science: mineral-organic composites for enhanced ion transport
2020-10-16 08:00 - 2020-12-31 17:00 | Crete
Ionic conductivity is a key property for emerging energy technologies like fuel cells and batteries.
In a joint project between the ‘Laboratoire Charles Coulomb’ (L2C) and the ‘Institut Charles
Gerhardt de Montpellier’ (ICGM), we will explore how ionic transport processes in poly(ionic
liquids) (PILs) can be simultaneously enhanced by incorporating ionic liquids (IL) while controlling
mechanical strength (and contributing to conductivity) through embedding of a second solid,
ionically conducting network of ionosilica. For this purpose, we will investigate the chemical and
physical properties of various ionic materials (ionic liquids, ionosilicas, poly(ionic liquids)) and
nanostructured composites.
The synthesis of the ionic phases will be carried out at ICGM, and the ion conducting properties
will be studied at L2C. Both project partners have strong scientific background in their respective
fields: L2C (A.C. Genix, J. Oberdisse) have deep expertise in structural and dynamical studies at
the nanoscale in complex polymer systems and nanocomposites. ICGM (P. Hesemann, J. Alauzun,
S. Clément, S. Devautour) is specialized in the synthesis of (nano)materials and PILs as well as
electrical measurements to characterize ionic dynamics of porous solids. As both consortium
partners are localized in Montpellier, the project will benefit from intense and regular scientific
exchange.
As a part of this project, the candidate will be in charge of the synthesis and characterization of
the ionic silica fillers, poly(ionic liquids) as well as nanocomposite formulation. She/He should
have a strong background in materials or polymer chemistry, as well as spectroscopic
characterization methods. Good communication skills, notably in English (oral and written), are
mandatory.
Application deadline: November 15, 2020
Starting date: January 1st, 2021
Contact: Dr. Peter Hesemann
Institut Charles Gerhardt, équipe CMOS
Place E. Bataillon
34090 Montpellier
peter.hesemann@umontpellier.fr

24th JCNS Laboratory Course Neutron Scattering
2020-08-31 08:00 - 2020-09-11 17:00 | Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo Brandt Straße, Jülich, Germany
Juelich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) is happy to announce that
application is open for the 24th Laboratory Course Neutron Scattering
taking place August 31 – September 11, 2020 in Juelich and
Garching/Munich, Germany.
The course will consist of one week of lectures and exercises and one
week of practical training at the neutron scattering facilities of
Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum MLZ. It is the aim of the course to give
a realistic insight into the experimental technique and its scientific
power.
Students of physics, chemistry, materials science and biosciences are
invited to apply for participation. There is no tuition fee.
Accommodation and meals during the course will be provided by JCNS.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed within reasonable limits.
For further information and to apply for participation please visit
our website
www.neutronlab.de
Deadline for application is May 10, 2020.
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Juelich and Garching!

Marie-Curie Post-doc in Soft Matter at the Institut Laue-Langevin
2020-06-09 08:00 - 2020-09-09 17:00 | Crete
Dear Colleagues,

the Partnership of Soft Condensed Matter, located on the EPN Campus in Grenoble, is looking for young researchers, holding a doctoral degree in the domain of soft condensed matter, not having worked in France for more than 12 months in the last three years, and is willing to apply for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF). The deadline for application to the MSCA program is September 9th and the guide for applicants can be downloaded here.

The EPN campus hosts the Institut Laue-Langevin, the European Synchrotron radiation facility, in addition to partner institutes such as the Institute of Structural Biology. The Partnership of Soft Condensed Matter is a laboratory run by the ILL and the ESRF and provides a broad suite of preparation and characterization techniques in the domain of soft matter (http://www.epn-campus.eu/users/partnership-for-soft-condensed-matter-pscm/).

If you are interested in applying for a MSCA grant, with a focus on fundamental research in the domain of soft matter, please send me a very one-page description of the project and your cv. If the project fits in the research activities of the PSCM, we will be happy to support your application. Do not hesitate to contact me for any further information. I apologize if you received this email more than once.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Leonardo Chiappisi

Dr. Leonardo CHIAPPISI
Scientific Coordinator of the PSCM
Institut Max von Laue – Paul Langevin (ILL)
71, avenue des Martyrs – CS 20156
38042 Grenoble cedex 9 – France
+33 (0)4 76 20 79 53
chiappisil@ill.eu

PhD Studentship (Grenoble & Leeds) – Physics vs. Chemistry of Cell Capture at the Blood Vessel Wall
2020-06-07 08:00 - 2020-07-03 17:00 | Crete
In this interdisciplinary project, the PhD student will use in vitro systems to study how the glycan-rich layer on the endothelial cells lining blood vessels helps regulating the selective capture of cells from the circulation into tissues using biomechanical and biochemical signals.

Cell capture under flow at the wall of blood vessels is a critical physiological process: red blood cell adhesion should be avoided to prevent blood clots, and immune and stem cell adhesion is tightly regulated for proper immune/inflammatory responses, and for tissue repair. How the selective capture of cells is controlled is not well understood. It is clear though that this involves biomechanical and biochemical cues, and knowing how these signals are coupled would help to devise new ways to control immune cell recruitment and homing of stem cells, or to interfere with pathogen invasion and tumour metastasis.
The first and critical step of cell capture is mediated by the endothelial glycocalyx, a soft and glycan-rich coat on the blood vessel wall. To elucidate how biomechanical and biochemical cues in the glycocalyx are coupled to regulate cell capture, biomimetic surfaces will be developed that present selected components of the blood vessel wall in a tunable way, building on our extended experience on simpler glycocalyx models. Combined with laminar flow assays, these surfaces will enable quantitative cellular and cell-mimetic studies in a well-defined environment, and subsequent analysis with theories from soft matter and biological physics.
The PhD student will be exposed to and work with state-of-the-art surface biofunctionalization and physico-chemical characterization, microfluidics and advanced optical microscopy methods, cell culture as well as soft matter and biological physics concepts. Training on all these methods will be provided as required.
Location and practical aspects
Grenoble is a pleasant city located in the French Alps. It is one of the most renowned scientific areas in France, providing a vibrant and collaborative scientific environment.
This project is part of an ongoing collaboration between the University Grenoble Alpes (UGA) and the University of Leeds (UoL). The successful applicant will be hosted by the Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Physics (LIPhy) at UGA, in the research group Mechanics of Cells in Complex Media (MC2). He/she will work under the supervision of Dr. Delphine Débarre (UGA) and Dr. Ralf Richter (UoL). The project will comprise extended secondments to the Richter Lab at UoL.
The studentship is for 3 years, and can be started between September 2020 and January 2021. The working language is English. The gross salary will be 1787 €/month, equivalent to a net salary of 1414 €/month.
Qualifications of the applicant
We are looking for an enthusiastic and rigorous experimentalist with a background in biochemistry, physical chemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, soft matter physics, or a closely related field, and keen interest in multidisciplinary work. Experience with biosurface science or cell culture, and affinity for data modelling, are an advantage.
Applications
Interested candidates should write Delphine Débarre (delphine.debarre@univ-grenoblealpes.fr) and Ralf Richter (r.richter@leeds.ac.uk) with their motivation letter, CV, transcript of university record, and contact information of two referees (indicate “PhD studentship – Glycocalyx” as e-mail subject). Application deadline: 03/07/2020.

1 Postdoc and 1 PhD position in "Topological Fluid Mechanics" at the University of Luxembourg
2020-05-22 08:00 - 2020-07-31 17:00 | Crete
Luxembourg is a dynamic, multicultural country in the heart of Europe with a strong research and development base supported by important financial and organisational resources. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and an excellent training environment for cross pollination of research ideas across faculties of engineering and natural sciences.
Within Luxembourg, innovative research in the area of biophysics is carried out at the University of Luxembourg’s Physics and Materials Science Research Unit (PHYMS-RU) and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB). Close synergies with the Life Sciences Research Unit (LS-RU), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), the Luxembourg National Health Laboratory (LNS), and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) make Luxembourg a thriving hub for cutting edge cross-disciplinary research in the physics of living systems.
Application is now open for a:
Postdoctoral researcher position in Topological Fluid Mechanics
Details and application procedure can be found here: http://emea3.mrted.ly/2gyie

Ref: RCREQ0004042
Initial 12 months fixed-term contract, renewable for up to 24 months (depending on interim evaluation after first 6 months)
Full time position (40 hrs/week)
Starting date: September 2020 or the earliest possible date

Your Profile
We are seeking excellent and highly motivated candidates holding a PhD degree in a field related to the topic of the program (PhD or equivalent in Natural Sciences or Engineering Sciences). Experimental and theoretical background in soft and/or active matter physics and fluid mechanics is essential. Experience/knowledge of quantitative imaging, analysis and pattern recognition techniques will be given preference. Fluency in English is mandatory. Willingness to work in an inter-cultural and international environment, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team, are desired.

PhD position in Topological Fluid Mechanics
Details and application procedure can be found here: http://emea3.mrted.ly/2gyi7

Ref: RCREQ0004041
Initial 36 months fixed-term contract, renewable for up to 48 months (depending on thesis progress evaluation)
Full time position (40 hrs/week)
Starting date: September 2020 or the earliest possible date
Employee and student status

Your Profile
We are seeking excellent and highly motivated candidates holding a Master’s degree in a field related to the topic of the program (MSc or equivalent in Natural Sciences or Engineering Sciences). Background in soft matter physics, fluid mechanics and experience/knowledge of quantitative imaging and analysis will be beneficial. Fluency in English is mandatory. Willingness to work in an inter-cultural and international environment, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team, are desired.

Selection process:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in Luxembourg or interviewed remotely by phone or other audio-visual modes. Positions will remain open until filled. Please apply ONLINE.
For further information, please contact Prof. Anupam Sengupta (anupam.sengupta@uni.lu) or visit the research page for further information on the project and its scope.

International Conference 2020: “Motile Active Matter”
2020-03-30 - 2020-04-02 | Forschungszentrum caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn, 53175
Dear Colleague,
We are very happy to announce the International Conference
“Motile Active Matter”,
organized by the DFG Priority Program on “Microswimmers – From Single Particle Motion to Collective Behavior”
to take place on March 30 – April 02, 2020 at Forschungszentrum caesar in Bonn, Germany.
The motility of cells and microorganisms is a cornerstone of the existence of life and an outstanding achievement of evolution. From a physics perspective, active matter is a novel class of nonequilibrium materials composed of a large number of agents, which consume energy and generate directed motion. Length and time scales range from nanomotors and microswimmers and single cells up to fish, birds and humans. Unraveling, predicting, and controlling the behavior of active matter is a truly interdisciplinary endeavor, and involves scientists from biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, mathematics, and physics.
The conference will bring together scientists from the various disciplines involved in research on active matter, disseminating recent progresses and highlighting future challenges. Topics include:

Cells and Microorganisms
• Artificial and Biological Microswimmers
• Collective Behavior
• Sensing and Navigation
• Confinement and External Fields
• Statistical Mechanics of Active Matter

The conference will include invited and contributed talks as well as posters.
You can find more information on the conference website:
https://www.fz-juelich.de/ics/ics-2/EN/Leistungen/SPP1726/International-Conference-2020/_node.html
Best regards,
Gerhard Gompper

[On behalf of the organizers: Gerhard Gompper, Clemens Bechinger, Stephan Herminghaus, U. Benjamin Kaupp, Hartmut Löwen, Holger Stark, Roland G. Winkler]

PhD position at the Institut Laue-Langevin on Foam Characterization
2020-03-27 08:00 - 2020-08-31 17:00 | Crete
Foams structures are ubiquitous and of high technical relevance. Their understanding and control of their properties is a fundamental aspect of very diverse areas of research: from separation chemistry (foam flotation), to detergency, firefighting, to the production of multi-scaled materials (solid foams for catalysis or thermal and sound insulation). The properties of foams are intimately linked to their structure and physico-chemical properties. Bubble size and bubble size distribution, viscosity of the liquid within the foam, as well as the presence of nanostructure in the liquid film have a profound impact on the foam properties. Thus, the characterization of the interactions at the liquid/gas interface and between facing interface at a molecular and macroscopic scale is of outermost importance for the understanding of foams and for their subsequent application in the different domains.
Research Project The project consists of two phases. In the first one, the commercial Foamscan apparatus will be adapted to be employed at small-angle neutron scattering beamlines. This step, in cooperation with the producer, Teclis-Scientific, will allow the simultaneous determination of the macroscopic foam properties (bubble size, bubble size distribution) and the investigation of its structure at the nanometer scale. The second part will be dedicated to the investigation of foams based on PolyOxoMetalates, a class of very large ions, which may serve simultaneously as foam stabilizers and complexating agents for the recovery of valuable metal ions, such as lanthanides and others transition metals (Mo, V, W, Ta …).
The project results from a cooperation of the Institut Laue-Langevin and the Institut de Chimie Separative de Marcoule (ICSM), a joint research unit involving the CEA, the CNRS, the University of Montpellier and the National Graduate School in Chemistry of Montpellier (www.icsm.fr) and TECLIS Scientific (www.teclis-scientific.com), french industrial company specialises in measuring instruments for interface science. The position will be located at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble. However the project foresees some working periods of few months at ICSM in Avignon area, few weeks at Teclis-Scientific in Lyon. The student will be employed under generous conditions by the ILL, with a gross salary of approximately 2400 €/month in addition to numerous benefits (see employment conditions) at ). We are seeking for motivated candidates with a very good MSc/diploma in physical chemistry and physics (or a related field) and ideally some previous expertise in foam characterization or colloid/polymer science. As data analysis represents an important aspect of the project, previous knowledge or willingness to learn programming languages such as Python or C are a strong asset.
For more information please contact Dr. Olivier Diat (olivier.diat@cea.fr,) or Dr. Leonardo Chiappisi (chiappisil@ill.eu). Applications including a motivation letter should be sent by email with the reference “PhD project201_23” in the subject.

Summer School on Thermodynamics and energetics of soft matter systems
2020-03-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, 3800, France
Soft matter pervades into daily life under several forms: biological matter, foams, food products, ink, tires, and many others. In contrast to their very different appearance, all these systems are governed by the same, fundamental physical laws. Aim of the school is providing an overview of the forces governing the behavior of soft matter systems and introducing the most relevant techniques to probe such interactions.
The school proposes frontal lectures for doctoral students working in the field of soft matter given by recognized experts from all over Europe. Poster sessions will be opened for discussion on research topic and experimental results between students and invited lecturers. An open exchange session is foreseen where speakers and students meet for informal discussions in small groups.

We have a limited amount of places, application including a short description of research activity and a CV should be sent to softmatter2020@ill.fr before 10 April 2020.
The organising committee will examine your application and inform you in May 2020.

Postdoc (2 yrs) Soft Matter Simulation in Tübingen, Germany
2020-03-06 08:00 - 2020-05-05 17:00 | Crete
We announce an open postdoc position in the field of computational soft matter
modelling, associated to the group of Computational Nanoscience / Colloid Physics
(Prof. Oettel, PD Schöpe).
The successful candidate is expected to conduct independent research in broad relation
to the experimental activities in nanoscience in Tübingen (Interdisciplinary nanoBCP Lab).
Possible working areas include phase behavior and dynamic transistions in systems of
designed colloids (Schöpe group), collective
behavior of proteins (Schreiber/Zhang group), or coarse-grained modelling of motor proteins
(E. Schäffer group).
Qualifications and experience:
* PhD in physics, biophysics or physical chemistry with a focus on theory and modeling.
* Strong background in theoretical soft matter and associated simulation methods.
* Knowledge of standard methods (Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo).
The position is for 2 years, salary according to the collective agreement in public service
(TV-L 13, initial stage depending on experience). Applications from women and persons with
disabilities are particularly encouraged.
Starting date is flexible (ideally between May 2020 and September 2020).
Further information can be obtained by contacting Prof. Martin Oettel
(martin.oettel@uni-tuebingen.de). Please submit your application
(CV, motivation + one-page research statement, names of 2 referees) in one .pdf file
to martin.oettel@uni-tuebingen.de. Deadline is March 30, 2020, applications thereafter
will be considered until the position is filled.

PhD position in Grenoble, France - dynamics of antibody solutions
2020-02-26 08:00 - 2020-03-20 17:00 | Crete
We are looking for a highly motivated student to join our PhD project at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, a renowned international and interdisciplinary research facility.
The project proposed aims at investigating the dynamic properties of viscous antibody solution using an interdisciplinary approach, thus featuring an immediate relevance for industrial applications. Notably, the project is a collaboration between the University of Tübingen (Germany), the ILL as well as the industry partner Lonza AG (Basel, Switzerland).
You can find a detailed description here:
https://esrf.gestmax.eu/1406/1/phd-position-microscopic-dynamic-properties-of-antibody-solutions/en_US
and obtain more information by contacting the project supervisors via the e-mail addresses or phone numbers indicated in the link.
Note that knowledge of French is *not* required!
