Phase transitions, such as the freezing of water and the magnetisation of a ferromagnet upon lowering the ambient temperature, are familiar physical phenomena. Intriguingly, such a collective change of behaviour at a phase transition is also of importance to living systems. From cytoplasmic organisation inside a cell to the collective migration of cell tissues during organismal development and wound healing, phase transitions have emerged as key mechanisms that underlie many crucial biological processes. However, a living system is fundamentally different from an equilibrium one, with driven chemical reactions (e.g., metabolism) and motility being two hallmarks of its non-equilibrium nature. In this theoretical project, you will elucidate the novel physics arising from biological processes that are intrinsically out of equilibrium [1]. This research direction has proven to be extremely fruitful and has led to the discoveries of novel physical states of matter [2–4], critical phenomenon [5], and universal dynamics [6–10]. The specific tasks of the theoretical project to be carried out, ranging from direct simulation studies to analytical renormalization group calculations, are flexible and can be tailored to your interests.
Research in the Lee group (https://clee.bg-research.cc.ic.ac.uk/index.html) expands the horizons of physics and biology by studying biological problems that demand the development of novel physics, and we publish regularly in world-leading journals in both physics and biology. We enjoy close collaborations with biologists and bioengineers, and you will have the option of working closely with an experimental group if desired.
We seek a highly motivated applicant who has obtained, or is about to obtain, an Honours Degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) or higher in physics, mathematics, or a closely related discipline. The successful applicant will perform both numerical simulations and analytical calculations. Imperial College has a vibrant biological physics community and meets weekly at journal clubs and seminars during term time (https://clee.bg-research.cc.ic.ac.uk/bpjc.xhtml). The successful candidate will also engage with the Imperial College Network of Excellence: Physics of Life (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/physics-of-life). The start-date of the project is flexible with the earliest being in July 2022.
How to apply
Informal enquiries to Dr Chiu Fan Lee ([Email Address Removed]) are welcome. The application should include a full CV, names and addresses and contact details of two academic referees, and a personal statement (1000 words max). Completed applications should be submitted to Dr Lee via email by 6 pm on 5 January 2022.
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