SoftComp

PhD Programme in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials call for application 2019-20.
2019-03-21 08:00 - 2019-04-05 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Call https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/scuole/graduate/documenti/Bando/Bando_35/Bando_35_e_Allegato_A__ENG.pdf
On-line application https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Admission requirements https://www.unive.it/pag/20824/
How to apply https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Research themes and PhD programme overview: https://www.unive.it/pag/33115/
How to write the research project: https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Research Project
A brief and well-reasoned description of the research proposal (in Italian or in English) is required, concerning one of the themes in which the PhD programme is organized. The proposal must not exceed 10000 characters (spaces included) and must contain: Project title;research scope and objectives;state of the art of research,proposed survey methodologies,expected results;bibliography.
Reference letters
Reference letters are not necessary but highly recommended: they have to be uploaded by the lecturer/specialist NOT by the candidate by the deadline april 5th at 13:00 italian time. Since the request for reference letters starts from PhD office in Venice, note that you should fill the entire application, SAVE it with all documents attached even if they could be temporarely empty documents as soon as possible in order to let the specialist to receive early the request of reference letters. Then you can enter again in the procedure and modify it and/or upload the correct documents by april 5th, 13:00 italian time
Interview
the interview can be done in videoconference mode.

Call for PHD positions in BioNanoMaterials
2019-03-20 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
PhD Programme in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials
call for application 2019-20.
Call https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/scuole/graduate/documenti/Bando/Bando_35/Bando_35_e_Allegato_A__ENG.pdf
On-line application https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Admission requirements https://www.unive.it/pag/20824/
How to apply https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Research themes and PhD programme overview: https://www.unive.it/pag/33115/
How to write the research project: https://www.unive.it/pag/20822/
Research Project
A brief and well-reasoned description of the research proposal (in Italian or in English) is required, concerning one of the themes in which the PhD programme is organized. The proposal must not exceed 10000 characters (spaces included) and must contain: Project title;research scope and objectives;state of the art of research,proposed survey methodologies,expected results;bibliography.
Reference letters
Reference letters are not necessary but highly recommended: they have to be uploaded by the lecturer/specialist NOT by the candidate by the deadline april 5th at 13:00 italian time. Since the request for reference letters starts from PhD office in Venice, note that you should fill the entire application, SAVE it with all documents attached even if they could be temporarely empty documents as soon as possible in order to let the specialist to receive early the request of reference letters. Then you can enter again in the procedure and modify it and/or upload the correct documents by april 5th, 13:00 italian time
Interview
the interview can be done in videoconference mode.

PhD RECRUITMENT FAIR. MATERIALS PHYSICS CENTER, SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
2019-03-12 08:00 - 2019-04-02 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
7 PhD studentships available. The applicants are required to hold a Master degree, or to obtain it before the end of 2019.

Approximately 25 applicants will be shortlisted and invited for a 2-days visit to Materials Physics Center in May 2019, with their travel and accommodation expenses fully covered. Personal interviews will be held and the candidates will have the opportunity to discuss the research projects with their potentail supervisors. From the interviews, 7 candidates will be selected and granted full 3-year studentships. They are expected to start at September-December 2019.

The full list and description of the available PhD projects, and general information about the recruiment fair, can be found at: http://cfm.ehu.es/phd-recruitment-fair-2019/ and http://cfm.ehu.es/view/files/CFM-CALL-FOR-PHD-STUDENTSHIP_2019.pdf

Some of the available PhD projects are focused on soft matter problems:

S2. Hydrocolloids in foodstuffs – from mechanical to sensory properties

S3. Exploiting Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Unravel Structural and Dynamic Properties in Different Aqueous Systems

S10. Structure and dynamics of polymers: a multiscale approach

S12. Synthesis and characterization of new, well-defined single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) endowed with multiple functions

S14. Ultra-dense/low energy state glasses by aging nanostructured polymers

The applicants interested in this PhD offer must fill the form in the link http://cfm.ehu.es/cfm/index.php/phd-fair-2019. The deadline for sending the application is 2nd April 2019 at 17:00 CET.

If you need further information about this call, or about any general queries on the selection process, please contact: phdstudents.cfm@ehu.es

Motile Active Matter: Nanomachines, Microswimmers, and Swarms
2019-02-25 - 2019-03-01 | Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo Brandt Straße, Jülich, Germany
Winter School
within the DFG Priority Programme 1726 “Microswimmers – From Single Particle Motion to Collective Behavior”
Active matter is a novel class of nonequilibrium materials composed of a large number of agents, which consume energy and generate directed motion. The scale of agents ranges from nanomotors and microswimmers to cells and fish or birds. 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. Recent progress in experimental and simulation methods, and theoretical advances, now allows for a detailed study of such systems, and to gain new insight into their behavior, which should ultimately lead to the design of novel synthetic active agents. This school will provide a broad overview of the field, covering state-of-the-art methodological aspects in experiment and simulation, and current research on natural and artificial active agents and their collective behavior.
The school is intended for students at the Master’s and PhD level, and postdocs, from all fields related to active matter, and reflects its wide spectrum and interdisciplinary character. Selected topics from various fields will be covered. Hence, participants will gain insight into a variety of complementary aspects relevant for a comprehensive understanding of active matter.
The school is supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) and is organized within the framework of the DFG Priority Programme “Microswimmers – from Single Particle Motion to Collective Behaviour”. It is open to everyone interested in state-of-the-art activities in this fascinating research area.

Assistant Professorship in Soft Matter, Durham University
2019-01-03 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear Colleagues
The Department of Physics at Durham University is currently advertising an Assistant Professorship in Soft Matter. Candidates with expertise in theory and/or simulation are particularly encouraged to apply.
For further details, please see the link below:
https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/recruitment/vacancies/phys19-58/
Please draw this opportunity to the attention of suitable candidates. The closing date for applications is 3rd January 2019.
Best wishes
Suzanne Fielding

Postdoc at the Materials Physics Center in San Sebastian (Spain)
2019-01-01 08:00 - 2019-10-22 17:00, 2018-09-05 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
CROWDING EFFECTS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF MACROMOLECULAR NANO-OBJECTS
The general framework of this project is to contribute to the understanding of crowding effects on the structure and dynamics of macromolecules of diverse types. We are currently running a project focused on single-chain nano-particles (SCNPs) –soft nano-objects obtained by intramolecular cross-linking of individual macromolecules. In dilute conditions, SCNPs have been found to adopt sparse morphologies, reminiscent of those presented by intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) under the same dilute conditions. This similarity motivates the use of synthetic SCNPs as mimicking nano-objects for IDP to investigate structural as well as dynamical aspects as functions of different variables. The proposed project aims to characterize the influence of increasing the concentration of the macromolecular environment of SCNPs and IDPs. In this way, we try to extract universal features due to steric effects of the behavior of biomacromolecules in the crowded conditions typical for cellular environments. The study will be based on the application of scattering techniques, in particular neutron scattering on deuterium-labeled samples, as well as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS) available in our labs. Experience of the candidate in light scattering will be particularly appreciated.
PROFILE: Scattering Experiments on crowded macromolecular solutions. We are looking for highly-motivated experimentalists with a PhD in condensed or soft matter physics or in material science. Previous experience with scattering techniques, in particular light scattering, will be highly valuated.

McBain Medal Meeting 2018: Making and breaking colloidal assemblies:using chemical, physical, and mechanical stimuli to control soft matter
2018-12-11 09:30 - 17:30 (Europe/London) | Society of Chemical Industries Headquarters, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PS, United Kingdom
The SCI Colloid & Surface Chemistry Group and RSC Colloid & Interface Science Group are delighted to announce that Dr Valeria Garbin of Imperial College London is the 2018 recipient of the McBain Medal. Dr Garbin’s research programme focuses on fundamental aspects of microscale transport phenomena in soft and biological matter. Her team has performed the first measurement of steric interactions between nanoparticles at fluid interfaces, discovered new mechanisms of the removal of nanoparticles from fluid interfaces, and pioneered the use of optical tweezers to manipulate biocolloids for ultrasound medical imaging.
Information on the program can be found using the following link: https://www.soci.org/Events/Display-Event?EventCode=COLL537

Jülich Soft Matter Days 2018
2018-11-20 16:00 - 2018-11-23 14:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo Brandt Straße, Jülich, Germany
Soft Matter Science has emerged in recent years as an independent and interdisciplinary research field, bringing together scientists from macromolecular physics and chemistry, statistical physics, biophysics, and molecular and cell biology. The systems investigated in this field include synthetic and biological macromolecules, colloids, membranes, vesicles, and active systems such as synthetic and biological microswimmers. The phenomena investigated include the phase behaviour and non-equilibrium dynamics in colloidal dispersions and polymeric systems. Soft Matter Science thus aims at the understanding of complex macromolecular systems, the design and use of synthetic and biomimetic materials, their application as functional materials, and the understanding of biological systems and processes. While many of these systems have already been investigated separately for a long period of time, their common features and interactions have recently come into focus.
These highly complex materials consist of structural units with typical length scales ranging from nanometers to micrometers. The experimental and theoretical investigations involved, as well as the understanding of the properties of these materials, pose enormous challenges due to their high complexity, the large number of cooperative degrees of freedom, and the large range of relevant length, time and energy scales.

To bring together scientists from these various research fields and to foster the exchange of ideas and collaborations, we are organizing the workshop

Jülich Soft Matter Days 2018

on the physics and chemistry of mesoscopically structured biological and synthetic macromolecular systems. We hope that this workshop will provide a forum to share and discuss the latest advances for all active researchers in this field.
The topics planned for this year’s workshop are:
Cell Mechanics and Migration

Active Systems
DNA-based Macromolecules
Colloids and Proteins
Biopolymers
Flow and Microfluidics
Interfaces

For a list of invited speakers and further information, please download the conference poster and flyer.

Dynamic Coarse-Graining and Memory Effects in Soft Matter Systems
2018-10-25 09:00 - 2018-10-26 14:40 (Europe/Berlin) | Mainz, Germany, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Hermann Staudinger Lecture Hall, Mainz, 55128, Germany
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together scientists with very different background that work or have worked on non-Markovian dynamics and dynamic coarse-graining. Since the community in this special area of research is still very small, we hope, that the workshop can stimulate discussions and ideas for future research topics. The need of advanced theoretical understanding and coarse-graining techniques is especially important due to the emerging fields of active particles and nonequilibrium statistical physics.

List of invited speakers (confirmed):
Rafael Delgado Buscalioni, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
Michele Ceriotti, Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland
Burkhard Dünweg, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
Pep Español, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
Peter Hänggi, Augsburg University, Germany
George Em Karniadakis, Brown University, Providence, USA
Tanja Schilling, University Freiburg, Germany
Friederike Schmid, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
Matthias Schmidt, University Bayreuth, Germany
Nico van der Vegt, Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany
Rodolphe Vuilleumier, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
and Alessio Zaccone, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
Further information can be found on the CECAM webpage:
https://www.cecam.org/workshop-1665.html
We would very much appreciate if you can forward this advertisement to interested students or colleagues.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Mainz, with best regards,
Dominika Lesnicki
Gerhard Jung
Condensed Matter Theory Group, KOMET 1, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

Correlated disorder and hyperuniformity in soft matter and photonics
2018-10-15 - 2018-10-17 | Institut Henri Poincaré, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, 75005, France
The goal of the workshop is to bring together scientists from soft-matter science and wave physics interested in the design, fabrication and properties of correlated disordered and/or hyperuniform materials. The workshop will consist of invited talks by world-class specialists and a poster session which will be the place for discussions and interactions. The topics covered will include (not restrictive) correlated disorder, photonic glasses, hyperuniformity, hyperuniform materials, localization, polarization and near-field effects, self-assembled colloidal structures, optical and acoustic metamaterials.
Registration is free but mandatory. It includes access to the workshop, coffee breaks, lunches and welcome cocktail. To register, please send the following information to romain.pierrat@espci.fr: First and last names, Affiliation, Email address, Day(s) you will attend (important for lunch organization)
In case you plan to present a poster, send a title and the list of authors.
Number of attendees limited to 70.
Deadline for registration: September 21, 2018
The program :
Paul Chaikin Physics Department, New York University, USA
Studying Correlated Disorder by Data Compression
Haim Diamant School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Dynamic hyperuniformity of driven suspensions
Rémi Dreyfus Complex Assemblies of Soft Matter, Bristol, USA
Self-assembly of functional materials for optics and mechanics
Marian Florescu University of Surrey, UK
Hyperuniformity and local self-uniformity: Photonics band gaps in disordered materials
Xiaoping Jia Institut Langevin, ESPCI Paris, France
Multiple scattering of ultrasound in dense granular media
Dov Levine The Technion Department of Physics, Israel
TBA
Cefe Lopez Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Spain
The percolation threshold is a mark of maximum amount of disorder
Olivier Mondain-Monval Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Bordeaux, France
Flat Acoustic Gradient Index Materials
Nadine Nassif Laboratoire de Matière Condensée de Paris, France
Is cornea really transparent? An investigation of collagen based-materials
David Pine Physics Department, New York University, USA
TBA
Riccardo Sapienza Imperial College London, UK
Photonic networks random lasers
Frank Scheffold Department of Physics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Band gap formation and Anderson localization in hyperuniform disordered photonic materials
Patrick Tabeling Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, ESPCI Paris, France
Hyperuniformity and band gaps in microfluidic bidisperse emulsions
Salvatore Torquato Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, USA
Disordered Hyperuniform States of Matter
Juan Jo Saenz Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
TBA
Silvia Vignolini Department of Chemistry, Cambidge, UK
Strategies for light management in Nature from order to disorder
Kevin Vynck Institut d’Optique Graduate School, Université de Bordeaux, France
Engineering nanostructured surfaces with correlated disorder for visual appearance design
Gi-Ra Yi School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
Colloidal photonic glasses of hollow nanospheres for angle-independent structural colors

Workshop on Self-assembly and Hierarchical Materials in Biomedicine: Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, Sensing and Safety Issues.
2018-10-08 09:00 - 2018-10-10 19:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Miramar Royal Palace, Paseo de Miraconcha, 48, San Sebastián, 20008, Spain
The workshop aims to bring a comprehensive view in the field of hybrid materials in biomedicine. It will address the design of hierarchical and self-assembled materials and their application in drug delivery, sensing and tissue engineering covering from the material science aspects to clinical perspectives. The conference will be of interest for a wide scientific community involving chemists, material scientists, physics, theoreticians, molecular biologists and medical doctors. The program will cover: Molecular Self-Assembly, Hybrid Materials, Drug delivery, Sensors, Tissue Engineering, Safety issues.

Erice Workshop on Self-Organization in Active Matter: from Colloids to Cells – October 1-4, 2018
2018-10-01 08:00 - 2018-10-04 17:00 (Europe/London) | Erice, Sicily, Italy
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce that registration is open for the Workshop Self-Organization in Active Matter: from Colloids to Cells to be held October 1-4, 2018, at the Ettore Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy.
The Workshop will bring together established and junior researchers to discuss the latest development in experiments and theory of self-organization in active systems. Topics covered will include active colloids, microswimmers, active liquid crystals, bacterial suspensions and biofilms, subcellular structures, and tissues. We will have a number of invited talks by distinguished speakers that have made important contributions to the field of active matter. There will also be opportunities for contributed presentations to be selected from submissions and for poster presentations.
The venue is the The Ettore Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture in the historic town of Erice, Sicily. Erice is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level, overlooking the city of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands on Sicily’s north-western coast. A cable car joins the upper and lower parts of the town. Erice is a wonderfully preserved walled Mediaeval town offering the most breathtaking views and a palpable sense of history.
For more information and to register please visit the Workshop website: http://soft-living-matter.syr.edu/events-2/events/erice-self-organization-in-active-matter/
The number of attendants is limited, so please, register soon, and in any case before August 31, 2018.
The fee of 120 Euro/night covers all local expenses (ground transportation, accommodation, meals, coffee breaks, excursion, and social dinner).
Limited funds are available to support the participation of junior scientists or scientists from developing countries.
We hope to see you in Erice in October.
The organizers
Hugues Chaté
Gerhard Gompper
Cristina Marchetti

Ikerbasque Research Positions in Neutronics
2018-09-17 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
The IKERBASQUE foundation has opened a call for applications for research positions at the levels of Research Professor and Research Fellow in the field of neutron science, in particular in the following fields:
* Neutron science applied to the study of polymer and macromolecular systems
* Neutron science applied to the study of materials for energy
* Neutron science applied to the study of functional materials
* Neutron science applied to the study of biological systems and bio-inspired materials
The research activities will be developed in association with one of the scientific institutions of the Basque Country. Deadline for applications is October 19, 2018.
More details can be found in:
http://www.ikerbasque.net/en/calls/research-positions-neutronics
and in the attached document.

Italian Soft Days 2018
2018-09-13 08:00 - 2018-09-14 17:00 (Europe/Berlin) | University of Padova, Dipartimento di Fisica via Marzolo 8, Padova, Padova
This is the third edition of an event previously held at the University of Rome La Sapienza (2014) and Politecnico di Milano (2016).
The founders of these events are Emanuela Zaccarelli (Rome La Sapienza), Roberto Cerbino (Milano), and Stefano Buzzaccaro (Milano Politecnico).
The present edition will be organised by Achille Giacometti and Flavio Romano (Universita’ Ca’ Foscari Venezia) and Matteo Pierno and Alberta Ferrarini (Universita’ di Padova) and will be held at the University of Padova on 12-13 September 2018.
It aims at promoting and providing visibility to the work of young researchers, especially the italian ones working abroad.
The section for oral contribution is closed, but the poster session is still open for contributions.

Postdoctoral position available in a project on tumor growth and SERS detection at CIC biomaGUNE
2018-09-05 08:00 - 2018-09-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Applications are invited to work at the Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, under the supervision of Prof. Luis M. Liz-Marzán. The successful candidate will undertake research in the area of hybrid materials and 3D printing.
The project, supported by the European Research Council, is aimed at the application of surface enhanced Raman scattering for the real-time monitoring of tumor growth within purposely devised scaffolds. Within this project, the proposed post-doc research will focus on 3D printing of functional scaffolds.

A PhD in a relevant area of Chemistry, Physics or Materials Science is required and experience in the fields of hybrid materials, soft matter processing and 3D printing is highly desirable.
The position is for up to two years, starting by January 2019.
Application procedure: Candidates should submit a C.V., a cover letter stating why they are interested in this position and the contact details of two academics who can provide a reference using the following form and indicating “321 Postdoc” as reference. The deadline for application is September 30, 2018.

Postdoctoral position in Chemistry in San Sebastian, Spain
2018-09-01 08:00 - 2019-08-31 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear all,
A postdoctoral position is available at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) beginning the 1st September 2018. The work will be under the direction of Prof. Fabienne Barroso, Prof. Luca Salassa and Dr. Marek Grzelczak and will be developed within multidisciplinary areas. The aim of the project is at synthesizing cyclic polymers for complexing with inorganic substrates. The work will include synthesis of organic molecules, polymerization reactions, polymer functionalization, functionalization of gold nanoparticles and metal complexes.
We are looking for a motivated candidate fulfilling the following requirements:
1) PhD in Chemistry
2) Strong background in organic synthesis and polymer science.
3) Good command of written and spoken English.
Applications should be sent to postdoc@dipc.org before 20th August 2018. Applications should include:
1) curriculum vitae
2) brief statement of interest
3) the names and contact addresses (e-mail) of two academic referees
For more details:
http://dipc.ehu.es/join_us.php
Sincerely,
Fabienne Barroso

International Symposium on Polyelectrolytes, 12th edition
2018-08-27 - 2018-08-31 | Wageningen International Congress Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands, Lawickse Allee 9, Wageningen, Netherlands
https://www.vlaggraduateschool.nl/en/courses/course/ISP2018.htm
The meeting is the 12th in the ISP series of conferences started in 1995, on the physics and physical chemistry of polyelectrolytes, with a focus on understanding how electrostatic interactions determine and influence the behaviour of synthetic and biological charged macromolecules in solution, in complexes and at interfaces. We aim at continuing the success of the 11th edition in Moscow (2016) by providing a stimulating forum with prominent keynote and plenary speakers, ample opportunities for submitted oral and poster presentations, and plenty of opportunities to discuss and interact with colleagues. The conference venue is the Wageningen International Congress Centre (www.wicc.nl), Wageningen, the Netherlands. Wageningen is conveniently located, just one hour by train from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Ahead of the conference, on August 26 and 27, a PhD course on polyelectrolytes will be organized that will be free of charge for PhD students attending the conference, featuring extended tutorial lectures by a selection of the organizers and plenary speakers of the conference.
Keynote speakers:
Michael Rubinstein (Duke University, USA)
Russell Stewart (University of Utah, USA)
Christine Keating (Penn State University, USA)

Plenary sessions

Polyelectrolytes theory and modeling
Katia Zhulina (Institute of Macromolecular Compounds,St Petersburg, Russia)
Charles Sing (University of Illinois, USA)
Fabien Léonforte (L’Oréal Research and Innovation, France)

Polyelectrolyte complexes at interfaces
Henrik Birkedal (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Philipp Erni (Firmenich, Switzerland)

Polyelectrolytes and coacervation in cell biology
Tim Nott (University of Oxford, UK)
Roy Beck (Tel Aviv University, Israel)

Biological and biohybrid polyelectrolytes
Tanja Weil (MPI for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany)
Mauri Konstiainen (Aalto University, Finland)

Polyelectrolyte complex coacervation
Sarah Perry (University of Massachusetts, USA)
Paul Dubin (University of Massachusetts, USA)

Conjugated polyelectrolytes & poly(ionic liquids)
Ulli Scherf ((Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany)
Christophe Detrembleur (University of Liège, Belgium)
Joris Sprakel (WUR, The Netherlands),

Polyelectrolyte membranes
Ivo Vankelecom (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Joris de Grooth (NX Filtration, Enschede, The Netherlands)

International organizing committee:
Paul Dubin, University of Massachusetts, USA; Ray Farinato, Solvay, USA; Alexei Khokhlov, Moscow State University, Russia; Serge Stoll, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Ulrich Scheler, Leibniz Institute Polymer Research, Dresden, Germany

Local organizing commitee:
Renko de Vries (chair), Frans Leermakers (co-chair), Wageningen University and Research; Eva Oudshoorn (secretariat), Wageningen University and Research, Graduate School VLAG; Evan Spruijt, Radboud University Nijmegen; Ilja Voets, Eindhoven University of Technology; Jasper van der Gucht, Marleen Kamperman, Louis de Smet, Wageningen University and Research; Andreas Herrmann, University of Groningen; Simeon Stoyanov, Unilever R&D, Vlaardingen; Wiebe de Vos, Saskia Lindhoud, University of Twente.

Abstracts for 20 min oral and posters presentations can be submitted for these topics, as well as on any topic that relates to the general focus of this conference series, which is on the influence of electrostatic interactions on the behaviour of synthetic and biological charged macromolecules in solution, in complexes and at interfaces. Deadline for submission is June 1st, 2018. Conference contributions can be submitted for publication in a special issue “Polyelectrolytes and Polyelectrolyte Complexes” of the MPDI Journal “Polymers”, submission deadline December 1, 2018. To register please visit the conference website. Registration will be accepted in the order in which payment is received. Participation is restricted to 250 persons. Conference fee includes conference materials, admission to all conference sessions, welcome reception, coffee/tea during breaks, lunches, the social programme and the conference dinner:
Industry/For-Profit € 750
Non-profit organizations/University staff/Postdocs € 400
PhD students € 400
Accompanying persons € 200

For more information, see the conference website.

Thermodynamics and Energetics in Soft Matter Systems
2018-07-24 08:00 - 2018-07-26 17:00 (Europe/London) | Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, 3800, France
Dear Colleagues,
we are pleased to announce the international summer school on “Thermodynamics and Energetics in Soft Matter Systems” from the 24th to 26th July 2018 at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France.
The aim of the school is to provide 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 given by recognized experts from all over Europe. For full details see the flyer attached to this email or the website: https://workshops.ill.fr/e/softmatter2018
Due to the limited number of available places, pre-registration by the 20th of May is required. A short description of research activity and a CV should be sent to softmatter2018@ill.fr The organising committee will examine your application and inform you in June 2018.
Please distribute this information to colleagues or students who might be interested and accept our apologies if you receive this email more than once.
Best Regards,
Leonardo Chiappisi

Immunoshape International Symposium on Glycoimmunology.
2018-07-11 09:00 - 2018-07-13 18:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Auditorium of San Sebastian Technology Park, Paseo Mikeletegi 53, Central Building, San Sebastián, 20009, Spain
This 2.5 day symposium will provide a forum for scientists from chemistry, immunology and glycobiology to discuss recent advances in our understanding and the opportunities for shaping glycan mediated immune responses. The following topics will be covered in the program: Glycoconjugate vaccines, Glycan based immunotherapy, Host pathogen interactions, Synthesis of glycan antigens, Glycomimetics.

POST-DOC POSITION in the ESPCI-TOTAL joint laboratory
2018-07-05 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
This post-doc will work on the lab research for the project of “polymer enhanced foam”. The main working place is at the joint laboratory Physico-chemistry of Complex Interfaces between the SIMM laboratory at ESPCI and TOTAL, in Lacq.
This work focuses on the consequences of interactions between surfactants and polymers at the water/gas interface, and it consequences on foam stability. The influence of several physical parameters will be investigated, such as (1) the electrostatic charge of the surfactant and polymer, (2) polymer molecular weight, (3) hydrophobic interaction, etc. The surfactant/ polymer foams will be tested for foam enhanced oil recovery. The work is mostly experimental, and results will be either published or patented.
All the experiments will be performed in Lacq (France, Atlantic Pyrenees, 15km from Pau)
Requirement: solid background in soft matter
Contact : leyu.cui@total.com

Postdoctoral Research Associate (rheology and scattering)
2018-07-04 08:00 - 2018-07-23 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
A PDRA post is available from 1 July 2018, or as soon as possible thereafter, for a period of 12 months to work in association with Dr Richard Thompson on a National Formulation Centre (NFC) funded project. The project is a new collaboration between Durham University and Imperial College London, to develop new methods for characterising and forecasting instability in complex structured fluid formulations. The project will operate in close collaboration with the NFC and industrial partners (BP and P&G) with the emphasis on understanding the influence of flow (shear & extensional) on stability.

PhD thesis: Damage mechanisms in insulating polymer materials under mechanical stress and high voltage : theory and simulations.
2018-07-04 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
We propose a theoretical PhD project for describing damaging mechanisms either under applied electrical field and under applied stress. This is a theoretical work which follows earlier experimental studies on damaging under mechanical stress [1] and an on-going project regarding damaging under applied electric field. The aim is to identify and describe the damaging mechanisms and to develop a theoretical model for both situations. Currently, we study the microscopic mechanisms under medium to high electric field, in long lifetime regime. Dielectric properties of materials are investigated along electrical fatigue tests, combined with microscopic structural characterization (tomography, Ultra-small angle X-rays scattering, etc…). The methodology we use is similar to the one we used for studying fatigue in semi-crystalline polymers and adapted to the specific considered subject. Based on these works, theoretical model will be implemented into a 3D numerical model allowing to study the nucleation and growth of defects, until final breaking of the material, based on an already existing 3D mechanical model. The model will be compared to experimental results on both electrical and mechanical damage and ultimate failure.
This PhD is proposed within the context of a collaboration between Nexans, a worldwide leading company for electric networking, Solvay and Laboratoire Polymères et Matériaux Avancés (LPMA), within the context of the “Lyons Polymer Science and Enineering” collaboratibve network. The PhD will take place within LPMA.
The Solvay/CNRS Joint Laboratory (UMR: Unité Mixte de Recherche) ‘Advanced Materials Laboratory’, is located near Lyon, France. The objective of the lab is to develop fundamental research on physical properties of heterogeneous polymer materials, in order to be able to propose innovative materials with tailored properties and improved usage properties for new applications.
This PhD project is suitable for applicants graduated in polymer physics and/or condensed matter physcis and/or statistical physics and/or mechanics and material science. To apply please send detailed CV and application statement to:

D. Long
Email : didier.long-exterieur@solvay.com
tel: +33(0)4 28 27 10 30
P. Sotta
Email : paul.sotta-exterieur@solvay.com
tel: +33 (0) 428271029

[1] E. Mourglia-Seignobos, D.R. Long, L. Odoni, L. Vanel, P. Sotta, C. Rochas, “Physical Mechanisms of Fatigue in Neat Polyamide 6,6”, Macromolecules, 47, 3880-3894 (2014)
[2] L. Conca et al, Macromolecules (2017)

Playing Colloidal Mikado
2018-07-02 - 2018-07-04 | University of Oxford, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
The 6th Playing Colloidal Mikado workshop, organised by DiStruc, covers experimental, theoretical and computational aspects of non-spherical colloidal particles with a focus on colloidal rods. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss current developments and advances in the field and to provide opportunities for networking.

3-D microfluidics to study break up of blood aggregates
2018-07-01 08:00 - 2019-02-28 17:00 (Europe/London)
The goal of this research project is to understand the break up of natural blood aggregates in model 3-D microfluidic channels as well as physiological shaped channels, tuning the interplay between interaction strength and complex flow geometries. The candidate will design , build and use a range of micro-fluidic channel structures , which should finally mimic blood flow from the heart to the brain. To this end a novel Laser etching techniques will be used, which can produce arbitrary shaped channels on a scale of a few micrometers and this technique will be coupled to real 3D data of the micro-vascular system as it is being obtained in Jülich.
The candidate will have a background in physics, mechanical or chemical engineering, preferentially with interest in biological and Soft Matter systems. He/she should have experimental as well as computational skills. He/she will work mainly in the department ICS-2, with long stays in the ZEA-1 and INM-1, respectively the engineering and Human Brain department. The degree will be granted at the physics department of the KU Leuven.

University Professor of Experimental soft matter Physics
2018-06-21 12:05 - 2018-09-30 23:30 (Europe/Berlin)
As a research university with high international visibility and a wide range of degree programmes, the University of Vienna is committed to basic research open to application and research-led teaching, as well as to career development of young researchers and to the dialogue with economy and society. That way, the University of Vienna contributes to the education of future generations and to the society’s ability to innovate.
The appointment of particularly qualified researchers to university professors is an important strategy of the University of Vienna. Become part of this vibrant and future-oriented organisation.
At the Faculty of Physics of the University of Vienna the position of a University Professor of Experimental soft matter Physics (full time, permanent position) is to be filled.
We are looking for an outstanding researcher with an internationally established record and reputation in the broad area of experimental soft condensed matter physics, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, or biological physics. The research topics of interest include, without being limited to these: self-assembly behavior of soft matter in- and out-of equilibrium; phase transformations; novel soft and hybrid and composite materials; active systems; stochastic thermodynamics; rheology; and physics-oriented approach to biological systems. Applicants are expected to strengthen the existing research focus of the Faculty of Physics on soft matter, statistical mechanics and soft materials by conducting world-class research, by attracting competitive funding and by actively promoting collaboration with theoretical/computational soft matter groups of the Faculty of Physics.

Postdoc and PhD positions available in the Collaborative research center TRR146 "Multiscale simulation methods for soft matter systems"
2018-06-13 08:00 - 2018-09-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
The collaborative research center
*TRR 146 Multiscale simulation methods for soft matter systems*,
funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and hosted by the *Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz*, the *Technical University Darmstadt*, and the *Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research* (Mainz) invites applications for:
*4 PhD positions*
*1 Postdoc position*
Application instructions and further information on the available positions can be found at https://trr146.de/en/openings .
The center provides a stimulating research environment bringing together physicists, chemists, mathematicians, and computer scientists with a complementary expertise in a wide range of modeling methods. The initiative aims to tackle some of the most pressing problems in multiscale modeling of soft matter systems through a massive interdisciplinary effort at the level of fundamental science and algorithmic development.
The participating institutions are keen to increase the number of women among its employees and thus encourages women to apply. Disabled persons will be given preference if equally qualified.
Contact address: TRR 146 Office <trr146@uni-mainz.de>, Dr. Giovanni Settanni, Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University , 55099 Mainz, Germany.

2 PhD POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN A PROJECT ON NANOPLASMONICS AND SERS DETECTION
2018-05-29 08:00 - 2018-07-15 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Applications are invited for the following PhD studentships to work on an ERC Advanced Grant. The research, which will be carried out at the Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE (San Sebastián, Spain) , under the supervision of Prof. Luis M. Liz-Marzán CIC biomaGUNE, aims at the application of surface enhanced Raman scattering for the real-time monitoring of tumor growth within purposely devised scaffolds. Within this project, two PhD positions are available, to carry out research on the following topics: i. Fabrication of hybrid plasmonic scaffolds for 3D cell culture; ii. Interaction of nanoparticles with cells and tissues

A Bachelor or Masters degree in a relevant area of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Biochemistry or Materials Science is required and experience in the fields of nanomaterials and/or biotechnology is highly desirable.
The deadline for application is July 15, 2018.

Research Professor in Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine
2018-05-28 08:00 - 2018-07-15 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
The Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials, CIC biomaGUNE, together with IKERBASQUE invites applications for one position of Research Professor in BIOMATERIALS FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE.

We are looking for candidates with strong experience in the broad field of Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine. Experience in therapeutic nanostructures, artificial cell matrices, bioprinting and cell therapies will be highly valued.

The successful candidate must have an established record of excellence in research in this area and is expected to develop internationally recognized, externally funded research programs that complement or extend the strengths of CIC biomaGUNE, build internal and external collaborations, generate technology transfer and mentor graduate students and postdocs.

Candidates should provide a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, detailed description of research interests and contact information of three references. Only researchers with a strong record of research and extensive group leading experience will be considered. Women candidates are particularly welcome.

All applicants are invited to submit detailed curriculum vitae to rrhh@cicbiomagune.es indicating reference 321 Regenerative Biomaterials Research Professor.

The deadline for application is July 15, 2018.

Platform Manager in Surface Analysis and Nanofabrication
2018-05-28 08:00 - 2018-06-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
We are seeking an outstanding applicant with a background in physics, chemistry or engineering to run and maintain the Center’s surface analysis and nanofabrication facility. We are looking for a dedicated, responsible, creative individual to join an eclectic international team of scientists with research interests in the areas soft interfaces, biosensors, biomaterials, bio- and nano-technology and colloid chemistry. The successful candidate will maintain CIC biomaGUNE’s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetron sputtering, and thermal evaporation instruments, train users, collaborate with researchers and perform service measurements.
