荷兰莱顿大学博士后职位—生物材料力学

荷兰莱顿大学博士后职位—生物材料力学

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Mechanics of Living MaterialsLeiden University

Description

Key responsibilities Living materials are made of cells or cell components, birds, or even people and robots. They are driven from the inside out, leading to phenomena such as flocks of birds and crowd waves at concerts. The physics of this active matter is highly relevant to developmental biology, as it helps us understand how how organisms develop and maintain their shape. Many of these processes are driven by single-layer epithelial cell sheets in a feedback loop between active processes, cell shapes and stresses that lead to emergent flows. The aim of this project is, based on recent progress in extending vertex models, to build a model that incorporates these processes from the bottom up. We will focus on understanding the emergent active mechanics, flows, and rigidity of such materials that incorporate microscopic internal pulling forces. At the same time, we will assess how biology can functionalise them and make predictions for processes such as gastrulation and germ band extension in drosophila or the chick embryo, and separately for in-vitro systems such as MDCK sheets and model organoids.

Selection Criteria • PhD in Physics or a related discipline and a good publication record • A background in soft condensed matter theory • Strong computational skills in either python or matlab and knowledge of C/C++ • A genuine interest in interdisciplinary science and talking to biologists • Creative and independent thinker • Good communication skills, and good English language level