Phd Position In The Area Of Nonequilibrium Statistical And Condensed Matter Physics With A Focus On Particle Transport In Strongly Crowded Periodic Environments

19 May 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics

Department

Department of Macromolecular Physics

Research Field

Physics » Statistical physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Czech Republic

Application Deadline

30 Jul 2023 - 12:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Offer Starting Date

19 May 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

A PhD position is available in the area of nonequilibrium statistical and condensed matter physics with a focus on particle transport in strongly crowded periodic environments.

About the Project -----------------

Driven particle motion through densely populated periodic structures is of high relevance for intracellular processes as well as transport in biological pores, synthetic channels, colloidal monolayers, microfluidic devices, and on solid surfaces. At large particle densities, excluded volume interactions prevail and particle transport involves cooperative movements. These cooperative movements are often mediated by clusters, which are assemblies of particles that keep together during their motion. While cluster dynamics can be studied in detail in recent experiments, a good theoretical understanding of them is lacking.

The aim of the project is to explain how clusters form spontaneously in periodic potentials even without attractive interaction, how they can move, and how they can give rise to measurable particle currents in highly crowded systems, where jamming typically mitigates motion. Particular emphasis will be given to the recently discovered solitons in Brownian dynamics, which correspond to periodic movements of clusters of different types. It shall be explored how the solitons form and behave under time-dependent periodic driving, and how imperfections in periodic structures and particle interactions beyond hardcore affect soliton motion. In a further part of the project, new methods shall be developed by which Brownian dynamics in highly dense systems can be efficiently simulated on the basis of cluster movements. Building on existing cooperations with experimental groups, the objectives are focused on problems amenable to experimental verification.

The studies will be carried out by combining analytical and numerical methods and shall provide a comprehensive theoretical understanding of cluster- mediated driven transport in a large variety of periodic systems.

The PhD-project is offered for a period of up to three years and will be carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Philipp Maass from the University of Osnabrueck (Germany). During the project, members of the two research groups will visit their partner institution several times a year. The working language is English.

Requirements and application -----------------

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with an excellent master's degree in physics, with background in theoretical physics and solid programming skills, and, preferably, with experience in modelling nonequilibrium processes in condensed matter. The candidate should be committed to collaborative work and should have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Applications including 1) a letter of interest (max. 1 page), clearly stating the specific motivation of the candidate to join the group and of the interest in the project, career goals, etc., 2) CV, 3) grade transcripts or equivalent record of excellent academic performance, clearly indicating courses taken and grades in each course (for master and bachelor studies), 4) names of and contacts to at least two consenting referees should be sent to Dr. Artem Ryabov, Ph.D., [email protected].

The applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis but should be received no later than July 30, 2023.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics » Statistical physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Charles University

Country

Czech Republic

City

Prague

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Praha 8

City

Prague

Website

https: // www. mff.cuni.cz/cs/kmf

Street

V Holešovičkách 747/2

Postal Code

180 00

STATUS: EXPIRED