Control over the structure of matter on multiple length scales is needed for the development of new materials with novel mechanical, optical or electronic functionalities.One of the most promising design strategies in material science is the fabrication of molecular, nanoparticle and colloidal building blocks which can spontaneously self-organize into larger complex superstructures. Such new materials find increasing use in many everyday applications, ranging from electronic devices, to coatings and paints, and to the food and drug industry.The reason that not all potential of these materials is exploited is that their preparation depends sensitively on directing the self-assembly of the building blocks into the desired predesigned structures. This project aims at visualizing the relationship between building block characteristics and order/disorder in these soft materials to understand and control the self-assembly process.

In this project you will investigate the role of anisotropy in colloidal building block shape and interactions on self-assembly processes induced by external cues, e.g. temperature and light. For this you will synthesize the required colloids and investigate the systems with high resolutions confocal laser scanning microscopy. You will develop quantitative anisotropic particle tracking routines to explore nucleation and growth of superstructures and to reveal the role of orientational and translational degrees of freedom. You will further explore the self-assembly kinetics and pathways and asses when disordered and meta-stable phases arise in dense systems. The final aim is to obtain new insights into the fundamental processes and general design rules that govern the self-assembly of anisotropic colloidal building blocks.



You will be part of the newly established Experimental Soft Matter group of Dr. Janne-Mieke Meijer, which is embedded in the Department of Applied Physics and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems. The group works in close collaboration with Theory of Polymers and Soft Matter group, the Self-Organizing Soft Matter group, and the Physical Chemistry group. The group focusses on experimental investigations of complex colloidal systems to discover the fundamental principles of how building block design influences self-organization and how to control the assembly process to engineer new materials.

• A PhD degree in experimental physics, physical chemistry, or a comparable domain.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, demonstrated for instance by a relevant PhD thesis and/or publication(s).
• Ability to teach, shown by experience or assistance in teaching and positive evaluations of these teaching efforts.
• Excellent mastering of the English language, good communication and leadership skills. Note that there is no Dutch language requirement.
• Be a team player and able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary context.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for three years.
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs for research and valorization,  professional development courses for PhD students, and didactical courses of the TEACH training program.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes).
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.