Physics of synthetic microswimmers: hydrodynamic simulations

The project:
The swimming motion of micron-size objects, such as bacteria, sperm or colloids, occurs in a regime where friction and viscosity are the dominating effects of the fluid. This is very different from the swimming of meter-scale objects we are used to, where inertia is important. Artificial micrometer-sized swimmers can be synthesized nowadays and used for experiments and applications. This is of industrial relevance, because it opens new routes for the transformation of thermal or chemical energy into mechanical motion.

Thermophoretic swimmers are colloidal particles with inherent asymmetry, for example half metal-coated spherical particles. They show persistent, self-propelled motion when they are locally heated, for example by illumination with a laser. The particle swimming behavior is determined by the system parameters and - very importantly - also by the colloidal shape. While the properties of Janus and dimeric colloidal particles are already being investigated in depth, other particle shapes like trimers or quadrumers whose behaviour remains yet unexplored. The aim of this project is to explore such colloidal ensembles when swimming isolated, in pairs, and in large ensembles by means of state-of-the-art computer simulations.

Your profile:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master title in physics, or closely related subjects. Given that the main focus of the project is to develop and to perform computer simulations within the framework of statistical physics, relevant experience and high motivation for this type of work is required. Knowledge of soft matter physics and related areas would be an advantage. Good knowledge of English is mandatory.

Our offer:
We offer a PhD position for three years, including salary and all social benefits. You will be employed by the Forschungszentrum Jülich and a PhD student at University of Cologne. We are a young and dynamic research group with excellent computational equipment embedded in the international research environment of Forschungszentrum Jülich. The possibility to apply for membership in the “International Helmholtz Research School of Biophysics and Soft Matter” (www.ihrs-biosoft.de) that provides a complementary research training at the inferfaces of physics, chemistry, and biology as well as transferable skills courses is provided to successful candidates.

How to apply:
Please send by email a cover letter, an up-to-date CV, your university transcripts, and at least two contacts for references to: [Email Address Removed]

Dr. Marisol Ripoll
Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics
Institute for Complex Systems (ICS-2)
Forschungszentrum Jülich
D-52425 Jülich (Germany)

http://www.fz-juelich.de/ics/Ripoll_M