PDRA 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.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by September 2025.

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.

Advert information