Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theory of Soft and Active Matter

The Role

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate in the theory of soft and active matter, to work with Prof. Suzanne Fielding in the Department of Physics at Durham University on a project funded by the ERC Advanced Grant 'RheoYield'.

The position is to commence in September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Its overall aims will be to understand the deformation and flow behaviour of so-called yield stress fluids, which keep their shape like solids at low loads, yet flow like a liquid at larger loads. One possible focus could be on the dynamical process whereby a material in an initially solid-like state firsts yields and starts to flow, and in particular on the statistical physics of how initially sparse plastic events in an otherwise elastic background then spatio-temporally cooperate to result in an emergent macroscopic flow. Besides the immediate applications of the work to soft matter physics, and potentially also to the fracture mechanics of hard materials, yielding also governs geological processes such as landslides, avalanches and lava flows. It also determines the reshaping of active biological tissue under the internal stresses caused by cell division, including during embryo development or tumour growth. Depending on the interests of the candidate, the project could develop a more specific focus on any of these particular areas of research. The work will draw on concepts of fluid dynamics, rheology, solid mechanics, statistical physics, nonlinear systems and related fields.

Further details about Prof. Fielding's research group can be found at http://community.dur.ac.uk/suzanne.fielding/, about the department at https://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/, and about the Durham Centre for Soft Matter at https://www.dur.ac.uk/soft.matter/

Informal enquiries are welcome and should please be directed

This post is fixed term for 24 months.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by September 2025.

The Requirements

Essential:

Qualifications

• A good first degree in Physics, Mathematics or a related subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Physics, Mathematics or a related subject.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career
• Research skills or potential at an international level.
• Excellent track record of research in active matter or in the direct numerical simulations of the continuum equations governing the mechanics of fluids and soft solids.
• Ability to design theoretical models and carry out appropriate analytical calculations to achieve the proposed objectives.
• Experience in numerical modelling.
• Ability to participate in research meetings to troubleshoot research problems and discuss the direction of research.

Skills

• Fluency in at least one scientific computer language (e.g., C, C++), with experience of writing programmes in this language.
• Excellent written communication skills in English and demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Excellent oral communication skills in English, with demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Ability to participate in research meetings to troubleshoot research problems and discuss the direction of research.
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable:

Experience

• Specific knowledge of yielding dynamics.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Professor Suzanne Fielding. Email:

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.