Living matter provides great inspiration to create systems that display life-like behaviour such as differentiation, adaptation and signal transfer. In Nature, these phenomena spontaneously emerge, directed by chemical systems that coordinate out-of-equilibrium molecular assembly processes. Introducing these capabilities in active matter will reveal the underlying rules involved in emergent phenomena, and at the same time open entirely new possibilities in classes of matter that are able to 'adapt themselves when the problem changes'. You will work on self-organisation of active matter emerging from well-coordinated combinations of molecular self-assembly, chemical reactions and physicochemical phenomena such as diffusion, phase-separation and surface tension. Using these to establish new feedback and control mechanisms, we aim to arrive at collective behaviour in active matter emerging at the mesoscale, driven by out-of-equilibrium systems that self-sustain the organisation. A recent example of our philosophy – demonstrated by amphiphiles that organise themselves through self-assembly into wire-like networks that autonomously coordinate mesoscale positioning processes – can be found here.

This research combines experiments and simulations, and varies from molecular self-assembly to reaction networks, hydrogels, microfluidics, dedicated microscopy techniques and building dynamic models in programs such as Python or Matlab.

You will communicate your findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences. You will also be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students.

• MSc degree (for the PhD position) or PhD degree (for the postdoctoral position) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline; affinity with physical chemistry is a strong advantage.
• Strong motivation and interest to work in an interdisciplinary research centre in a highly collaborative environment.
• Independent mind, good communication skills and team spirit.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: PhD Candidate: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years. Postdoc position: you will be appointed for 2,5 years.

• Employment: 32 - 40 hours per week.
• The  salary : PhD position: the gross starting salary amounts to €2,395 per month based on full-time employment, and will increase to €3,061 in the fourth year (P scale). Postdoc position: The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience: a maximum salary of €4,402 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: PhD Candidate: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years. Postdoc position: you will be appointed for 2,5 years.
• The intended start date is 1 September 2020.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica

You will be part of the Physical-Organic Chemistry department at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and work with Dr Peter Korevaar in the Life-like Materials group. Our research is produced through the Research Center for Functional Molecular Systems, in which is part of the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) at Radboud University. The group is housed in the Huygens building and equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, and will be using quantitative methods for the proposed research. The IMM is an interdisciplinary research institute in chemistry and physics at the Faculty of Science (FNWI) of Radboud University. The IMM focuses on fundamental research to understand, design and control the functioning of molecules and materials. You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers at the IMM and participate in institute-wide activities to enhance your own research and contribute to that of your peers. The IMM is a highly regarded academic research institute with a very strong international academic research network, as well as strong ties to Dutch chemical industry. The IMM is therefore an ideal workplace for excellent researchers looking for a career in academia and/or industry. The IMM is also strongly concerned with the societal impact of its research, encouraging researchers to contribute to sustainable development goals such as responsible consumption and production and affordable and clean energy.