SoftComp

Workshop “Physics of Microbial Motility”
2023-07-13 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce the workshop “Physics of Microbial Motility” in Würzburg, Germany from October 4-6 2023.
Registration and abstract submission are open on https://events.hifis.net/event/885/

The deadline for abstracts is August 14, and notification of accepted abstracts is August 21.
[Note that we made a pre-reservation of rooms until Aug. 31 at several hotels that you find on our website.
After Aug.31 a room can not be guaranteed any more due to several other events that are held at the same time in Würzburg.]

Looking forward to seeing you in Würzburg,

Markus Engstler, Gerhard Gompper, Cecille Cottin-Bizonne, Marco Polin and Knut Drescher

Professor of Chemical Engineering: Modeling Transport Phenomena and Properties for Soft Matter in Bio- and Health Applications
2023-08-28 08:00 - 2023-11-07 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
KU Leuven has a vacancy for a full-time (junior or senior) professor in the domain of Chemical Engineering with expertise in computational modeling of transport phenomena and properties for soft matter for bio- and health applications. We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent research track record, a strong orientation towards collaboration with industry and the medical sector, and educational excellence in the field of chemical engineering technology. The successful candidate will become a member of Group T Leuven Campus, an international and entrepreneurial engineering campus with a focus on healthcare engineering and sustainability (https://www.kuleuven.be/grouptcampus). It is one of seven campuses where KU Leuven’s educational Faculty of Engineering Technology is offering academic yet implementation-oriented engineering programs across Flanders. Each year more than 2200 students enrol at Group T Leuven Campus in Bachelor and Master in Engineering Technology programs that are offered in both English and Dutch. The new faculty member will also become a member of KU Leuven’s research Department of Chemical Engineering, and in particular its SMaRT (Soft Matter, Rheology and Technology) unit. Research at SMaRT aims at designing methodologies for intelligent process or product (formulation) design using complex fluids or soft matter. Hence, the research is situated at the intersection of classical chemical engineering (transport phenomena) and soft matter physics and chemistry. From a materials point of view, the two most important classes studied are polymers and colloidal dispersions. The faculty, department and campus can build upon solid research and educational infrastructure, extensive regional, national and international networks, and connections with companies and non-profit organisations in Belgium and abroad.
Application deadline: 7 November 2023

Soft Matter & Environmental Challenges - Minicolloquium at CMD30 conference
2023-09-04 - 2023-09-08 | Milan, Italy
We are organizing a minicolloquium (MC) during the 30th general conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the European Physical Society to be held in Milan (Italy) on September 4-8, 2023, jointly organized with FisMat, the biennial conference of the Italian community of condensed matter physics, optics, liquids and soft matter. (see https://eventi.cnism.it/cmd30-fismat)
The topic of the MC is “Soft Matter and Environmental Challenges” (https://eventi.cnism.it/cmd30-fismat/minicolloquia). This MC aims at bringing together all scientists who belong to the broad soft condensed matter community and its interfaces and whose research contributes to a rational understanding and design of approaches, tools and materials for the development of a more sustainable future. We anticipate that the minicolloquium will be the occasion to make a rather exhaustive inventory of the research conducted in the field of soft matter in relation to the environmental challenges that the world is currently facing.
Confirmed invited speakers: E. Del Gado and M. Corredig.
Abstract submissions for both poster and oral presentations are open until April the 15th.
We also kindly ask you to distribute this announcement among your potentially interested colleagues and students.
Thanks and regards
Laurence Ramos, on behalf of the Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics section of the CMD: Mikko Alava (Aalto University,Finland), Nuno Araujo, Secretary (Lisbon University, Portugal), Daniela Kraft (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Catherine O’Sullivan (Imperial College London, UK), Laurence Ramos, Chair (CNRS&Montpellier University, France), Anna Stradner (Lund University, Sweden), Dimitris Vlassopoulos (Forth, Crete, Greece), Emanuela Zaccarelli (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy).

Active matter in complex environments
2023-10-04 08:00 - 2023-11-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Type: PhD position
Start: 2024
Duration: 4 years
Location: Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Group: Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter
Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Uddalok Sen (Physics of Soft Matter lab)
Biological fluidic environments are highly complex and messy. They are usually non-Newtonian,
and often heterogeneous and anisotropic [1]. Swimming of active microorganisms in such complex
environments dates back to the earliest days of biological evolution. An understanding of such
swimming will provide one of the keys to unravel a fundamental question in evolutionary biology:
what are the origins of multicellularity? [2]. Confining boundaries, either rigid or deformable, add yet
another level of complexity to understanding the physics of swimming microorganisms. Advanced
experimental, computational, and analytical techniques have recently allowed scientists to gain some
insight into this interdisciplinary problem at the confluence of physics, applied mathematics, and
biology. However, there are several fundamental questions related to the influence of the complexity of
the fluid and the confinement on the swimming behavior of microorganisms that are still unanswered.
We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled PhD candidate who will experimentally investigate the fundamentals of swimming active micoorganisms in complex environments under various
degrees of confinement. You will use state-of-the-art microscopic imaging systems to observe the
motile behavior of one (or multiple) biological (and/or synthetic) microswimmers in non-Newtonian
fluids in the presence of a rigid (or deformable) confinement. The experiments will be complemented
by theoretical and/or numerical modeling. The project represents a paradigm shift in understanding the motility of microorganisms in realistic complex environments, and may provide fundamental
understanding of the (bio)physical principles underpinning the origins of multicellularity.
Your profile:
– A successfully completed MSc (or equivalent) degree in (applied) physics, molecular life sciences, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, applied mathematics, or in a closely related discipline.
– Experimental experience, fundamental knowledge of fluid dynamics, and experience in image and data analysis are required.
– You have strong communication skills, including fluency in spoken and written (scientific and non-scientific) English.
– You have strong analytical capabilities.
– You are proactive in coming up with innovative solutions to experimental challenges.
Your responsibilities:
– To design and perform experiments on active microswimmers in complex fluids.
– To discuss and disseminate results among peers, the scientific community, and the broader
society in general.
– To collaborate with colleagues having complementary expertise.
– To supervise bachelor and master students.

Our offer:
– We want you to play a key role in an ambitious project in an inspiring and stimulating international work environment.
– We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities.
– You will have an employment contract for the duration of 4 years, and can participate in all employee benefits the university offers.
– You will be embedded in a dynamic research group with colleagues working on similar topics.
– Additionally, Wageningen University and Research is a green campus with excellent facilities and resources for professional and personal development, and offers a wide variety of sports facilities.
– You will follow a high-quality personalized educational program.
– The research will result in a PhD thesis at the end of the employment period.
– We strive for diversity and fairness in hiring.
Applications should provide:
– A motivational letter (1 page max) describing why you want to apply for this precise position,
including your research interests/experience and how they connect to this position.
– A detailed CV.
– Academic transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
– Name and email addresses of at least two visible references who are willing to send a letter of
recommendation on your behalf.
– An interview with a scientific presentation on your previous work will be part of the interview
process.
Potential applicants are encouraged to apply to Asst. Prof. Uddalok Sen at uddalok.sen@wur.nl, or here: PhD position in ‘Active matter in complex environments’ – WUR

PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION IN THE POLYMERS & SOFT MATTER GROUP IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MICHELIN COMPANY: ‘IMPACT OF ADDITIVES ON THE KEY INGREDIENTS GOVERNING THE BEHAVIOR OF MIXTURES WITH DYNAMIC ASYMMETRY’
2023-11-07 08:00 - 2023-11-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
The Polymers & Soft Matter Group at CFM is offering a predoctoral position (1+1+1 years) starting in December to work with Profs. Angel Alegría and Arantxa Arbe. This is a collaboration research project with the Michelin company.
The positions will be funded by the Michelin company. The selected candidate will be hired by the Research Association MPC – Materials Physics Center. The salary will be of 16.131,72 euros during the first year before taxes.
The Polymers & Soft Matter Group addresses the structure and dynamics of polymers, glass-forming systems and soft materials at different length and time scales with a multidisciplinary approach (http://www.sc.ehu.es/sqwpolim/PSMG/).
In the project here proposed, the structural, thermodynamic and dynamical properties of simplified mixtures of industrial interest will be investigated, by combining different techniques including calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy, and X-ray and potentially neutron scattering.
Candidates must hold a Master degree, preferably in the field of Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry. Expertise in dielectric and mechanical spectroscopy will be highly appreciated for this particular position, as well as background in scattering techniques.
Suitable candidates can apply for this position sending by email to jobs.cfm@ehu.eus the following information before 30th of November with the subject label “Predoc CFM-MICHELIN”:
1- An updated Curriculum Vitae ([70]%)
2- A presentation letter with declaration of interests (max. 1 page). ([10]%)
3- Two reference letters and/or contact email of two potential referees. ([20]%)
General enquiries or questions about this position should be submitted by email to: jobs.cfm@ehu.eus with the subject label “Postdoc/Predoc CFM-MICHELIN”.

PhD position focused on vitrimers within the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ReBond
2023-11-07 08:00 - 2024-03-01 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear Colleagues,
Please find information, through the link below, about an exciting PhD position within the new Horizon Europe – Marie Sklodowska-Curie – Doctoral Network: “ReBond: A Universal platform for recycling plastic waste using dynamic covalent bonds”. The PhD studentship is focused on resolving how the kinetics of vitrimer bond exchange influences the properties of polymer-vitrimer systems; the influence of composition, structure, mechanical deformation and flow on the local dynamics of vitrimers will be investigated. Experimental techniques include broadband dielectric spectroscopy, as well as multispeckle light scattering and SAXS/WAXS, with a particular focus on combining these techniques with mechanical deformation. The research will be conducted in the Dept. of Physics at the University of Ioannina (Ioannina, Greece) with Prof. George Floudas and at the CNRS, Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (Montpellier, France) with Prof. Laurence Ramos, with a four month secondment to the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leeds (Leeds, U.K.) with myself.
Further details can be found through the following link:
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/153739
Please forward to anyone who might be interested.
Thanks a lot!
Best Regards,
Johan
Johan Mattsson
School of Physics and Astronomy
University of Leeds
E-mail: k.j.l.mattsson@leeds.ac.uk

Postdoc position in Physics of Cancer-Microbiome
2023-12-01 08:00 - 2024-01-15 17:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Phsyics of Living Matter Group, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The Physics of Living Matter Group at the University of Luxembourg is currently accepting applications for Postdoctoral Fellowships within the Young International Academics Programme of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Luxembourg. The selected fellows will carry out cutting-edge cross-disciplinary research on the Physics of Cancer and Microbiome, supported jointly by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Co-Fund Project and the IAS Luxembourg. For details contact: anupam.sengupta@uni.lu , with recent CV, cover letter, list of publications.
Link to the Young International Academics Programme: https://yia.uni.lu/

PhD position in Active Immuno-Mechanics of Cancer Environments
2023-12-01 08:00 - 2024-01-31 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
We are currently accepting applications for a PhD position on the interdependence of active mechanics and immune response of cancer cells under the recently awarded Cancer Biology Doctoral Training Unit from the Luxembourg National Research Funds. Interested candidates should write to anupam.sengupta@uni.lu for further details and application procedures.
Brief description of the project: The role of host feedback on the microbial community has been largely neglected until now. Based on recently developed experimental workflows which allow to track microbial behaviour within cancer environments using organoid platforms, microfluidics, advanced imaging, in-house-robotics, mathematics and machine learning tools. In this project, the PhD student will use these tools and combine physics and mathematical approaches to understand how biophysical parameters (ECM, rigidity) within the cancer/tumor environments regulate the dynamics of the cancer microbiome.
Link to Sengupta Lab: http://sengupta.mit.edu/
Link to the Doctoral Training Unit: https://www.lih.lu/en/research-support/doctoral-training/canbio2/

PhD in Soft Matter physics: Dynamics of chiral guest-host systems based on liquid crystals
2024-02-22 08:00 - 2024-04-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear colleagues,
I’m looking for a motivated student to join as a PhD candidate our Soft Matter team at Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Montpellier (France), in the context of my project “CHIRALGHOST” newly funded by the french Agence Nationale de la Recherche via the call ANR JCJC 2023. This project will focus on the dynamics of chiral guest-host systems in frustrated chiral liquid crystal systems, for more details please refer to https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/196425.
The project will take place entirely in Montpellier, L2C. The candidate will perform mainly experiments (polarized microscopy in transmission or fluorescence, optical tweezers, electrical driving, etc), data analysis using standard software or scripting languages, and, depending on the candidate skills, will also perform supporting simulations using in-house finite element and optical simulation codes. The PhD will be directed by Maurizio Nobili (full professor at L2C) and supervised by myself (CNRS permanent researcher).
The deadline for application is April 30th. The position is for 36 months and must start by September 1st, 2024, at the latest. Interested candidates can contact me directly at the email address given in the above link.
Best regards,
Guilhem Poy

Full Professor position at ESPCI
2024-02-27 08:00 - 2024-07-31 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
ESPCI Paris-PSL is recruiting a Professor in the field of polymer physics and soft matter in the broadest sense.
Since the days of Georges Champetier and Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, the ESPCI (https://www.espci.psl.eu/fr/) has been a center of excellence for polymers and soft matter in the center of Paris. It is constantly adapting its activities with a recent focus on sustainability issues.
Research profile: The research will take place in the ESPCI Soft Matter Science and Engeenring et laboratory (SIMM, UMR CNRS 7615, https://www.simm.espci.fr/). This laboratory is unique in that its research activities bring together physicists, physical chemists and mechanics. The subjects covered, often related to industrial processes, are all those that mobilize the fundamental knowledge of soft matter, such as rheology, flows, wetting, adhesion, mechanical properties, including fracture and adhesion, but always in relation to the physical chemistry of the system. The candidate’s activity and expertise profile is therefore broad, but the core competence is that of soft matter physics, with a strong ability to integrate into multi-disciplinary research activities linked to chemistry, physical chemistry, mechanics and industrial processes in the broadest sense.
Teaching profile: As a Professor, you will mainly teach in the engineering cycle at ESPCI Paris-PSL, and in part in PSL masters programs.
In the 2nd year of the curriculum, you will be asked to propose an introductory course in the physics and physical chemistry of polymers and soft matter, focusing on structure-property relationships. This physics course should fit in with existing courses in polymer chemistry and physical chemistry.
Requirements: PhD in Physics or Materials Science. Significant research experience in one of the fields defined in the research profile. A reasonable command of the French language is required.
Timetable: Position opening not yet determined, but probably early April. Employement is expected to begin at the start of the 2024 academic year.
Contact : Jean-Baptiste d’Espinose <jean-baptiste.despinose@espci.fr>, deputy directeur of the SIMM laboratory.

PSCM User Meeting 2024
2024-03-04 11:00 - 2024-03-06 14:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, 3800, France
We are delighted to announce that the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and the European Synchrotron (ESRF) will be hosting the PSCM User meeting from 4th to 6th March 2024 in Grenoble, France.
The PSCM (Partnership for Soft Condensed Matter) is a joint initiative by ILL and ESRF. This workshop aims to bring together the soft matter community
and will encompass a diverse range of lectures, poster sessions, discussions, and social events.
We invite you to check the meeting’s website, submit your abstract, and register at User Meeting Website before 12 January.
Additionally, you can visit the PSCM Website to explore the research activities of our partnership.
We look forward to welcoming you to Grenoble.

Sincerely,

The PSCM Coordinators,
Leonardo Chiappisi and Diego Pontoni

15 PhD Fellowships funded by the Marie-Curie Industrial DN "CoCoGel"
2024-03-10 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
15 PhD Fellowships in Soft Matter funded by EU research project CoCoGel:
“Controlling Colloidal Gels for Novel Sustainable Materials”
https://cocogel.iesl.forth.gr/
CoCoGel is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network (DN) (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01-01) aiming to provide integrated training for early career researchers, enabling them to achieve scientific excellence and set the foundations of their future careers.
CoCoGel is seeking 15 motivated PhD Candidates (DCs) in the field of Soft Condensed Matter. The Network involves leading experts in 6 academic and 6 industrial nodes. The network provides state-of-the-art expertise in experimental techniques, computer simulations, and industrial systems which will provide a collaborative and stimulating environment for the candidates. Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree in Physics/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials science or other relevant disciple. Each DC will be enrolled in the PhD program of one of the academic partners. A very competitive EU funding is offered for 36 months.
To qualify for the positions, you cannot have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment start date.
CoCoGel overarching goal
Transformative advances in product formulation are required to meet the demand for sustainability across a wide range of EU-priority industrial areas. Colloidal gels – complex, out-of-equilibrium soft matter systems – are core components in many formulations, including building materials (e.g. cement), energy materials (e.g., batteries and fuel cells), consumer care and food products, and medicine. Because of their complexity, current industrial practice in product formulation remains limited to trial and error. Recent advances in colloidal-gel physics strongly imply that the rational design of colloidal gel properties is within reach. This design is based on tuning gel microstructure via external stimuli, such as shear, ultrasound, and (magnetic/electric) fields, and the addition of non-Brownian inclusions.
The CoCoGel doctoral network will focus on these new routes to controlling colloidal gel microstructure, and will enable the translation from the current academic state of the art to industrial practice. We will bring together academic and industrial partners to realize the creation of new sustainable materials and production processes. The CoCoGel industrial doctoral training network will leverage and extend existing collaborations, to train a new generation of researchers with both multi-disciplinary expertise in soft materials and practical experience engaging with industry. These will drive further sustainable development over a wide range of European industries.
For details of each PhD project see: https://cocogel.iesl.forth.gr/esr-projects
Enquiries should be addressed to the CoCoGel Project Manager Dr. D. Ljumovic (cocogel@iesl.forth.gr) and to the relevant partner contact below:

FORTH, Greece (coordinator, G. Petekidis, georgp@iesl.forth.gr )
University of Granada, Spain (J. de Vicente, jvicente@ugr.es )
Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (V. Garbin, Garbin@tudelft.nl )
CNRS, Lyon, France (T. Divoux, divoux@ens-lyon.fr )
Utrecht University, Netherlands (J de Graaf, degraaf@gmail.com )
Edinburgh University, UK (W.C.K. Poon, Poon@ed.ac.uk )
Sunlight, Greece, (N. Tsiouvaras, tsiouvaras@sunlight.gr )
InProcess, Netherlands, (R. Besseling, besseling@inprocess-lsp.com )
Nanogetic, Spain, (R. Naselli, naselli@nanogetic.es )
Advent, Denmark (S. Andreasen, Andreasen@advent.energy )
Holcim, France (F. Toussaint, toussaint@holcim.com )
Unilever, Netherlands (K. Velikov, Velikov@unilever.com )

Fully Funded PhD Position in Bio and Nanomaterials
2024-04-19 08:00 - 2024-05-22 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
A fully funded position is available at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice supported by EU next-generation funds with the title:

Computational design and screening of cyclic peptides for precision delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids
The goal of the present project is to develop novel cyclic peptides capable of binding with high affinity and selectivity cell surface tissue-specific receptors that have historically been resistant to conventional modalities ultimately enabling the generation of nucleic acid-based therapeutics with better tissue-selectivity, lower toxicity, and superior efficacy.
We are seeking a motivated and resourceful student with an interest in Computational Biology/Chemistry/Physics and a related background. A familiarity with programming languages (python, Fortran, C++, etc) and HPC environments is desirable. Good knowledge of fundamentals of peptide and protein chemistry is highly recommended. The project is highly interdisciplinary and involves personnel involved in both computational and experimental aspects, so the candidate will be expected to work closely and fruitfully with the experimentalists. We welcome enquiries from all interested candidates. Starting date is 1stSeptember 2024.
For formal enquires please contact Prof. Achille Giacometti (achille.giacometti@unive.it).

Expresion of interest - Postdoctoral Fellowships programme (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01)
2024-06-21 08:00 - 2024-09-01 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Within the framework of the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS – POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01) CINBIO, acting as a host institution, welcomes applications from researchers in the following main areas:
– Nanomaterials
– Biomedicine
The MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS are available for experienced researchers, of any nationality, who must have, at the date of the call’s deadline, a doctoral degree or at least four years of full time equivalent research experience. Eligible candidates must comply with MSCA MOBILITY RULES.
Please, contact us (cinbio.eup@uvigo.es), if you have a PhD related to our research lines, you comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA; and you choose CINBIO, at University of Vigo, as your Host Institution. Send the following information, before 31st of July 2024:
Deadline for applications: 31 July 2024 / MSCA call deadline: 11 September 2024
Requested: Doctoral degree/PhD or at least four years of full time equivalent research experience in areas related to Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Informatics, Engineering, Physics, or Medicine.
Skills:

Excellent academic record, and strong interest in research, to join an established center with multiple lines of biomedical research, that will sure suit your curiosity.
Highest motivation to carry out scientific experiments in a reliable and efficient way, excellent communication skills; and willing to advance on their research pursuit.
Focus on the daily work, proactive, attentive to detail, autonomous, and able to collaborate in the lab tasks.
Participation on dissemination activities.
Command of English language.

Candidates should send before deadline, 31.07.2024:

Title and summary of the work plan (written in English); (filename CINBIO-MSCA_YourName_WP.pdf).
A detailed CV / Professional experience (filename CINBIO-MSCA_YourName_CV.pdf).
A motivation letter explaining your trajectory in the last five years and explaining the relevance of your achievements (max. 5000 characters); (filename CINBIO-MSCA_YourName_LETTER.pdf).
Academic record, including one copy of relevant publication written in English (filename CINBIO-MSCA_YourName_DEGREE.pdf).

International Conference “Motile Active Matter 2024”
2024-07-09 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Organized by EU H2020 ITN PHYMOT – Physics of Microbial Motility
FOCUS
From the largest animals to the smallest single-cell organisms, motility is a fundamental characteristic of
life. Cell swimming, in particular, underpins a wide range of fundamental biological phenomena, including
microbial grazing that fuels the base of the food web, inter-microbial communication, animal reproduction,
and parasitic infection. Furthermore, the swarming behavior of motile microorganisms bears similarities
with larger creatures, such as insects, ants, worms, fish, and birds.

Summer school on soft matter and food science - Cargese, Corsica, France - July 23 - Aug 2, 2024
2024-07-23 - 2024-08-02 | Cargese, Corsica, France
Dear all,
We are delighted to announce a summer school on soft matter and food science to be held in the summer of 2024 from July 23rd to August 2nd at the Institut des Etudes Scientifiques (IES) in Cargèse, Corsica (France).

The school will offer a series of introductory lectures on Soft Matter covering the key building blocks, i.e., polymers and colloids, which can be used to formulate dispersions, gels, composites, and soft glassy materials. Thanks to contributions from leading experts in the field, the summer school will provide the basics of structural & mechanical characterization, and multiscale modeling, from MD simulations, to continuum mechanics.
Moreover, the school will also include a series of more advanced classes focusing on food-related topics, e.g., products composed of proteins, polysaccharides and fat, and tackle textural attributes of food as well as related industrial processes.

The school is supported by SoftComp.

Practical information, including the list of speakers, registration fees, lodging info can be found on the following website : https://softfood.sciencesconf.org/
Registration are opened to all, but limited to 76 participants, so do not wait, sign up and join us!
Looking forward to seeing you in Cargèse,
The organizing Committee
Emanuela Del Gado (Georgetown Univ.)
Thibaut Divoux (CNRS, ENS de Lyon)
Gareth H. McKinley (MIT)
Laurence Ramos (CNRS, L2C Montpellier)

26th JCNS Laboratory Course Neutron Scattering
2024-09-02 - 2024-09-13
The Juelich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) is happy to announce that application is open for the 26th Laboratory Course Neutron Scattering taking place September 2 – 13, 2024 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 and early-carrier postdocs 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
https://neutronlab.de
Deadline for application is May 21, 2024.
Click here for additional information.
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Juelich and Garching!
Best regards
Margarita Kruteva, Reiner Zorn

Celebrating Tom McLeish
2024-09-02 08:00 - 2024-09-04 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
This three-day workshop will celebrate the academic work of Tom McLeish (1962-2023). Tom played an important role in the initial establishment of SoftComp Consortium. He also worked in many different fields, crossing disciplinary boundaries, and encouraging us to engage with one another. This meeting in his honour will cover several of his main fields of study:
Monday 2 Sept.: Polymer Physics and Rheology
Tuesday 3 Sept.: Physics of Life
Wednesday 4 Sept.: The Science-Humanities Interface
The meeting will start mid-morning on Monday and finish early afternoon on Wednesday. There will be a dinner on the Tuesday evening, which we hope will lead many to random interdisciplinary encounters of just the kind that Tom loved.
Further details and registration are now available at:
https://www.dur.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/biophysical-sciences-institute/events/celebrating-tom–mcleish-/
Registration is £135 for the three days, covering the conference dinner, lunch and refreshments. Various accommodation options are available, including limited college accommodation that can be booked when registering.
A provisional list of invited speakers is as follows:
Polymer Physics and Rheology: Jaap den Doelder, Ron Larson, Denise Li, Tim Lodge, Scott Milner, Peter Olmsted, Charley Shaefer, Lynn Walker.
Physics of Life: Sarah Harris, Rhoda Hawkins, Rivka Isaacson, Bhavin Khatri, Philip Nelson, Tannie Liverpool, Sheena Radford, Hannah Smithson.
The Science-Humanities Interface: Alister McGrath, Amanda Rees and Giles Gasper, with further speakers to be confirmed.
Additionally, Wilson Poon will speak last thing on the Tuesday afternoon, on any or all of the above topics!
It promises to be a special meeting, and we hope that many of you will be able to attend.
Best wishes
Daniel Read, Mike Cates, Mark Leake, Colin Bain, David Wilkinson, Giles Gasper
PS: This meeting is not to be confused with the Edwards Symposium taking place in Cambridge from 11th-13th September!

Doctoral candidate opening at IBI-4 of Forschungszentrum Juelich
2024-09-18 08:00 - 2025-03-31 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear all.
At IBI-4 of Forschungszentrum Juelich we are looking for a doctoral candidate to work in the framework of the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Network BIOMAC-BP. This consortium aims to develop fully bio-sourced formulations as carriers for bio-pesticides.
Further details can be found here: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2024D-097

Ideal candidates hold a M.Sc. degree in physics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering or a related field with a specialization in soft matter science. In addition they have experience in scientific programming. Experimental experience with light scattering and/or microscopy is not mandatory, but would be very helpful.
According to the mobility regulations of Marie-Sklodowska-Curie actions they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months during the last three years.

I would be grateful if you could pass this information on to potential applicants.
Kind regards
Peter Lang

12 positions for PhD Students in BIOMAC-BP
2024-10-15 08:00 - 2025-04-30 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Purpose:
The Marie-Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network BIOMAC-BP (Bio-Stabilized Multi-Phase Materials as Carriers for Biopesticides) sets out to address the issue of synthetic pesticide use by developing sustainable biopesticide formulations. That is, suspensions of bacteria capable of producing biopesticides that combat pests in a natural manner, whilst leaving other species unaffected. This EU funded project aligns with the Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals. We bring together experts from soft-matter physics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology, biophysics and agricultural science, to achieve our goals. Within our doctoral network, industrial and academic perspectives are combined to come to a real-world solution.
Positions:
We are recruiting 12 doctoral candidates (DC) to work on individual PhD-projects at seven research institutions and to tackle the tasks of BIOMAC-BP as a team at the following institution:

Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich, Germany
ESPCI, Paris, France
KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium
FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
Unilever Innovation Center, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Sysenqo (formerly Solvay) Specialty Operations France, Aubervilliers, France

For detailed information about the individual PhD projects and application procedures please visit the add on the EURAXESS platform: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/271696
All positions are full time and for a fixed term of 36 months. Pay will be in accordance with rules of the Horizon Europe, Work Programme 2021-2022, 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and national tax and social security regulations applicable at the recruiting institution.
Requirements:
Apart from their scientific qualifications as specified in the description of the individual PhD projects, candidates have to meet the following requirements:

They must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree and they must hold a MSc degree which qualifies them for the enrollment in a doctoral programme.
They must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

RIANA is now accepting research proposals
2024-10-29 08:00 - 2024-12-31 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
RIANA is a Horizon Europe funded research infrastructure project coordinated by DESY. It connects 7 European networks of top research facilities, including EUSMI, the European Soft Matter Infrastructure, to cover the most advanced techniques for nanofabrication, processing/synthesis, characterisation and analysis, and simulation capabilities. The customised and efficient access is complemented by scientific and innovative services from senior scientists, facility experts and highly qualified junior scientists.
RIANA is now accepting research proposals: academic researchers can apply for free access to at least 2 infrastructures from 69 leading nanoscience facilities across 22 European countries.
You may submit a pre-proposal with your research idea, and our scientific network will provide you personalized support, from proposal writing to data analysis, aimed at advancing both scientific research and industrial applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

For more information and submission of a (pre-)proposal, please visit https://riana-project.eu/
Further documents (incl. user guidelines, review criteria, proposal template) can be found here: https://riana-project.eu/useful-documents/
For technical questions, please reach out to admin@riana-project.eu
For scientific questions, please reach out to scienceservice@riana-project.eu

A dedicated track for SME applications will be opened shortly

Topical SoftComp Workshop: Intelligent Soft Matter
2024-11-27 08:00 - 2024-11-29 19:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Salou, Spain, Num Hotel, Carrer del Nord, 8, Salou, Tarragona, 43840, Spain
The field of soft matter has undergone significant evolution in the past decade, transitioning from a focus on nanoparticle-based soft matter and 2D materials to bioinspired, functional, and responsive materials. The next ambitious step involves the development of intelligent or cognizant soft matter as a new frontier, where materials may possess properties that enable them to comprehend the environment and generate a response. This includes advancements in swarm intelligence, soft robotics, and 4D materials that can change shape over time in response to external stimuli. This innovative concept aims to bridge the gap between self-learning, adaptive soft materials and sensors, artificial intelligence and decision-making in distributed systems. Furthermore, it can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between the microstructure of materials and their ability for autonomous and decentralized decision making and response. Finally, intelligent artificial soft systems might be instructive for a better understanding of biological systems, moving toward the knowledge-based design of synthetic cells with life-like functions.

International Soft Matter Conference 2025
2024-12-28 | Minoa Palace, Chania, Crete, Greece
Welcome Note:
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 9th International Soft Matter Conference (ISMC2025), that will take place from 29th of September to the 3rd of October 2025 on the island of Crete, Greece (https://ismc2025.org/). The venue, Minoa Palace (a 5-star hotel) and conference center is located near the city of Chania in west Crete.
ISMC2025 aspires to bring together Soft Matter scientists from around the globe, with a diverse background in chemistry, physics, biology and engineering. The Scientific Program will include plenary and keynote lectures, as well as oral and poster presentations. Complementing the scientific program, a diverse social program will offer the participants a taste of the history, culture and magnificent nature of Crete.
Abstract submission will open on 15th of January 2025.
We look forward to welcoming you in Crete.

Training on Neutron Techniques: Neutron Diffraction and Imaging
2025-03-26 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new cycle of Advanced Schools Training in Neutron Techniques (TNT), a three-year program of advanced formation on neutron scattering organized by the Italian Society of Neutron Sciences (SISN).
Applications are now open for the first edition, “Neutron Diffraction and Imaging,” taking place in San Giovanni (Valle Aurina, BZ, Italy) from June 13 to 21, 2025.
Lectures and tutorials covering all aspects of the theory and practice of diffraction ad imaging, including also non-scattering techniques and advanced approaches for data analysis and interpretation, will be given by international experts. Additionally, the school will explore the potential role of machine learning and artificial intelligence, in particular for instrument design and data processing.
Further details can be found on the website https://www.sisn.it/formazione/tnt/ and in the attached files.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this opportunity within your lab and professional network.
Best regards
On behalf of the organizers
Monica Ceretti

International Workshop on Advances in Mechanobiology: From Mechanical Sensing to Cell and Tissue Response
2025-04-27 18:30 - 2025-04-30 13:30 (Europe/Berlin) | Napoli, Italy, Congress Center of the University of Napoli Federico II, via Partenope 36, Napoli, Italy
We are delighted to announce that the International Workshop on Advances in Mechanobiology: From Mechanical Sensing to Cell and Tissue Response will take place in Napoli (Italy) from April 27 to 30, 2025 under the auspices of the Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering of the University of Napoli Federico II and of CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Franco Salvatore. Mechanobiology is an interdisciplinary field that explores how mechanical forces influence biological processes at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. The workshop aims to bring together participants from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine and engineering, who share a common interest in the experimental and theoretical aspects of mechanobiology and its applications.

SoftComp/EUSMI Annual Meeting 2025
2025-05-19 13:00 - 2025-05-22 14:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Univ. Ca’ Foscari, Via Torino 155, Venice-Mestre, Venice, Italy
We are excited to announce the SoftComp/EUSMI Annual Meeting 2025, a premier forum for SoftComp participants to engage, discuss, and collaborate on cutting-edge scientific research and joint future goals.
Event Details:
📍 Location: The Annual Meeting will be held at the premisis of Univ. Ca’ Foscari in Venice-Mestre, Italy.
📅 Dates: May 19–22, 2025
⏳ Duration: The meeting consists of three full days from Monday May 19 (lunch time) through Thursday May 22 (lunch time), 2025.
This year, the Annual Meeting will cover all the classic topics in Soft Matter while placing a special focus on the applications of AI and Machine Learning in Soft Matter.
Confirmed Plenary Speakers:
• Wilson Poon, University of Edinburgh
• Christos Likos, University of Vienna
• Stefano Sacanna, New York University
• Nicholas Vogel, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität
• Michael M. Lerch, University of Groningen
Confirmed Invited Speakers:
• Laura Filion, University of Utrecht
Oral Sessions:
• Young Scientists Session
• Glasses, Colloids, and Self-Assembly
• Biological Soft Matter
• Polymers and Biopolymers
• Gels and Networks
• New Methods and Techniques
• Surfaces, Interfaces, and Emulsions
• Synthesis
Poster Session:
• Two dedicated Poster Sessions
• Posters will be on display during the whole Annual Meeting
Showcase your research and connect with experts in the field.
Meeting Chairs:
• Achille Giacometti, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
• Alfons van Blaaderen, University of Utrecht
More details, including registration and abstract submission deadlines, are available at https://eu-softcomp.net/news/meetings/annual-meeting-2025.
Save the dates!
We look forward to seeing you in Venice!

Advanced PhD School "NAnoPhotOLI2025" – Naples – May 2025
2025-05-26 - 2025-05-30 | Napoli, Italy, Congress Center of the University of Napoli Federico II, via Partenope 36, Napoli, Italy
Dear colleagues,
we are pleased to announce the Advanced School for PhD students “Nano-photodevices for bacterial detection and treatment – NAnoPhotOLI2025” which will take place next May 2025 in Naples, that is organized by Departments of Chemical Sciences (DSC) and Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI) of the University of Naples Federico II, in collaboration with CSGI consortium and the Innovation Ecosystem “Rome Technopole”, that granted the project.
The NAnoPhotOLI2025 school is addressed to PhD students working in the scientific fields of Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Materials Sciences and Nanotechnology at National and European Universities.
It will be divided in two sessions, which will take place in May 2025.
• The first session will be from 5th to 16th May, with introductory lessons on the fundamentals of the main topics, which will be held by our teachers of the University of Naples Federico II.
• The second session will take place from 26th to 30th May in Naples at the Accademia delle Scienze Fisiche e Matematiche di Napoli, via Mezzocannone 8, with colleagues of National and International Universities and Research Centers operating in the topic fields.
The participation to the Advanced School will be limited to 30 students and will be completely free.
To apply, it will be mandatory to submit a motivational letter, countersigned by the Supervisor of the PhD thesis project, together with an Abstract by March 31th, 2025.
The deadline for the final registration is: April 11th 2025
For more details, please visit: https://www.nanophotoli2025.it
Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at nanophotoli2025@gmail.com.
Prof. Luigi Paduano and Prof. Giuseppe Vitiello
on behalf of the Organizing Committee of NAnoPhotOLI2025

Biophysics of Airborne infection
2025-06-04 - 2025-06-06 | Institut de Botanique, Montpellier, France
he BAI workshop stands out by bringing internationally renowned speakers, experts in very diverse fields from Virology, Soft Matter, MicroBiology, Physics and Fluid Mechanics:Mohsen Bagheri, (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Germany)Lydia Bourouiba (MIT, USA)Lisa Chakrabarti (PAsteur Institute, France)Rachel Edgar (Imperial College London, UK)Hanneke Gelderblom (Eindhoven University of Technology, The NetherlandsJérôme Legoff (Hopital Saint Louis, Paris, France)Sébastien Lyonnais (CEMIPAI, CNRS-Université Montpellier, France)Peter V. Nielsen (Aalborg University, Denmark)Wilson Poon (University of Edinburgh, UK)Julia Port (Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Germany)Jonathan Reid (University of Bristol, UK)Blake Warner (NIH, USA)

The presentations will explore the entire transmission chain of respiratory pathogens between hosts from emission to infection. BAI workshop will be a unique opportunity to discuss, share knowledge, and connect insights across disciplines, advancing research on the link between pathogens infectivity and the physicochemical conditions of their journey through the air.The workshop will also include a proper social event, a Gala diner, and a long wine and cheese poster session to foster exchange between the participants. Please do not hesitate to contact the organisation committee should you need further information.

Post-Doc Position in Singapore: Research Fellow in Soft Materials Science (Structural Characterisation of Protein-based Food Textures)
2025-06-09 08:00 - 2025-11-01 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Dear Soft Matter Community,
please find here below an announcement for a postdoctoral researcher (Research Fellow) to join the team at TUMCREATE in Singapore.
The focus will be on the structural characterisation of protein-based food texture as part of the Proteins4Singapore project. Experience with scattering techniques (e.g., SAXS, SANS) or imaging methods (e.g., confocal microscopy, AFM, X-ray tomography) would be particularly valuable.
This position sits at the interface of soft matter, food physics, and materials science, and is based at the unique CREATE campus at the National University of Singapore, where TUM is co-located with institutions such as MIT, ETH Zurich, Imperial College, University of Cambridge, UC Berkeley, University of Illinois, and Hebrew University, among others.
More info on: https://jobrxiv.org/job/tumcreate-27778-research-fellow-in-soft-materials-science-2/.
Please do not hesitate to contact Stefan Guldin (stefan.guldin@tum-create.edu.sg) for any information and to forwarding this to potentially interested candidates.

Higgs School on Advances in Computational Active Matter
2025-06-29 09:00 - 2025-07-04 17:00 (Europe/London) | University of Edinburgh
Active matter has emerged as a field with strong ties to non-equilibrium soft condensed matter and biological physics. Successes of the field include describing the dynamics of motile microbes and flocks of birds, defect self-propulsion in liquid crystals, wound healing and tissue fluidization, modeling of colony growth, and much more. The development of this field owes much to computational techniques. We have therefore put together a school that will introduce early-career researchers to the topic of computational methods for active matter.
Topics Covered
We will provide lectures on 10 topics within computational active matter, each consisting of two 90 minutes sessions, spread over five days. This includes:

Active-Brownian and Run-and-Tumble Particles
Cellular-Potts and Vertex Models for Tissues
Phase-Field Approaches for Pattern-Forming Active Systems
Hydrodynamic Methods for Active Systems, including Lattice Boltzmann, Multi-Particle Collision Dynamics, and Stokesian Dynamics
Squirmer models and immersed boundary conditions
Phoretic Interaction in Chemical Swimmers

The school is concluded with a lecture on the future of active matter systems and will have a group dinner.
Lecturers
We have confirmed the following lecturers and speakers:

Dr. Benno Liebchen (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany)
Dr. Chantal Valeriani (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain)
Dr. Davide Marenduzzo (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Dr. Enkeleida Lushi (New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States of America)
Dr. Erika Tsingos (Utrecht University, Netherlands)
Dr. Gwynn Elfring (University of British Columbia, Canada)
Dr. Holger Stark (Technische Universität Berlin, Germany)
Dr. Ignacio Pagonabarraga (University of Barcelona, Spain)
Dr. Rastko Sknepnek (University of Dundee, United Kingdom)
Dr. Timm Krüger (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

For more information please visit the Higgs School web portal.
