PhD Studentship: Modelling Polymeric Materials in Spontaneously Flowing Biofluids

Application details
Reference number: TAN/MA/2018
Start date of studentship: 1st April 2019
Closing date of advert: 1th February 2019

Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Tapio Ala-Nissila
Secondary supervisor: Tyler Shendruk

A studentship in Modelling Polymeric Materials in Spontaneously Flowing Biofluids is available in the Intradisciplinary Centre for Mathematical Modelling at Loughborough University. Because biological matter is intrinsically out-of-equilibrium, it has many exciting properties that passive materials do not. For instance, the nucleus of a living cell is packed with chromatin, filamentous chains of DNA, that coexists as both condensed DNA and less dense strands. The chromatin is continually re-organizing as it consumes biochemical fuel to power coherent movements. The project will develop and use novel numerical algorithms to simulate chromatin fibres subjected to spontaneously flowing biofluids. Applicants should have experience with or show enthusiasm to learn numerical modelling.

Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.
Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Full Project Detail
A 3-year PhD studentship in Modelling Polymeric Materials in Spontaneously Flowing Biofluids is available in the Intradisciplinary Centre for Mathematical Modelling at Loughborough University with Professor Tapio Ala-Nissila and Dr Tyler Shendruk. We are seeking an applied mathematics student, who is interested in simulating materials that make up living organisms.

This project will investigate the dynamics of polymeric filaments embedded in active fluids, biological fluids that spontaneously flow due to internal energy. These simulations will shed light on the dynamics of the interphase nucleus of living cells. You will simulate a polymeric phase, representing chromatin, in a background active solvent, representing the nucleus’ profusion of activities, such as replication, transcription and error-correcting dynamics.

You will be working in a collaborative and intradisciplinary environment, and will become familiar with modelling techniques ranging from molecular dynamics to computational fluid dynamics. Your role will be to develop models and algorithms to understand the effects of active flows on filamentous biomolecules. We are particularly eager to see diverse applicants who demonstrate creativity, mathematical proficiency, and programming skills.

Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/maths/research/groups/mathematical-modelling/
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/science/research/mathematical-modelling/

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Statistical physics and thermodynamics, classical field theory, hydrodynamics, nucleation theory, condensed matter physics, non-equilibrium systems, stochastic processes, molecular dynamics simulations, programming with C.

Funding information
The 3-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £14,777 per annum (in line with the standard research council rates) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. International (non-EU) students may apply however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee.

Contact details
Name: Tapio Ala-Nissila
Email address: [Email Address Removed], [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +358405412983

How to apply
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name ‘Mathematical Sciences’.

Please quote reference number: TAN/MA/2018.