Missions

Our team is looking for a talented and motivated postdoc to work on a colloidal model system. The postdoctoral position, funded by an ANR grant (DiViNew), is open at the Gulliver laboratory (ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University). The project aims at developing a 3d colloidal model system.

Background information: https://paddyroyall.github.io/padrus/Work_amoeba.html
Publications of interest : https://paddyroyall.github.io/padrus/Publications.html

Activities

Systems in which each constituent unit processes energy constitute active matter. Active colloids promise to harness the potential that “activity” can deliver in terms of new materials and devices. A challenge towards harnessing the full potential of active materials is the understanding and control of their autonomous assembly into complex functional structures. However, almost all active colloidal systems realised in experiment are (quasi) two-dimensional, with profound implications for their assembly and usefulness for applications. The successful candidate will build on our recently developed system of colloidal particles with self-propulsion in three dimensions. The objectives are to (i) synthesise 3d active particles and (ii) self-assemble 3d active structures from these particles.
Activities
- Active colloid synthesis experiments (microassembly and coating with vapour deposition)
- Acquisition of 3d images using confocal microscopy
- Data analysis and regular (weekly) reporting
- Scientific communication (writing of scientific publications, conference attendance)

Skills

PhD in soft matter physics, or a related field.
- The candidate is expected to have a strong background in particle-resolved studies and colloid synthesis
- Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English are of prime importance
- The successful candidate is expected to navigate in a highly interdisciplinary environment and have independent thinking

Work Context

The Gulliver lab is a mixed experimental and theory lab working at the interface of physics, chemistry, biology and computer science. The research of the focuses on soft matter (colloids, polymers, liquid crystals, granular matter, thin sheets...), active matter (self-propelled colloids, swimming droplets, walking grains, swarms of robots... ) and molecular systems (DNA, RNA, enzymes...). We study various aspects of these systems such as topology, self-assembly, interfaces, information processing, evolution..., while also developing general theoretical methods. The name Gulliver captures the diversity of scales that are studied in the lab from molecules to granular matter.

Constraints and risks

There are no risks associated with this post.