We are looking for a highly motivated and independent PhD student to conduct original experimental+theoretical research on the interplay between active matter and passive critical matter, starting from the fall 2023. The work will be supervised by Prof. Wenceslao González-Viñas (experiments) and by me (theory). The student will work at the Physics and Applied Mathematics Department of the School of Science, University of Navarra, located in Pamplona, Spain.

The selected candidate will contribute to the successful completion of our research project “PASsive Criticality mediated by Active and Living matter (PASCAL), recently funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Although we have in mind the study of two paradigmatic model systems (the condensation/evaporation phase transition in presence of bacteria and the turbulent transition in sheared bacterial suspensions) we are open to new proposals from candidates. The experimental work will be conducted in our facilities and will mainly rely on optical microscopy, thermal imaging and rheology. The successful candidate will also work with active matter (non-pathogenic bacteria) under the supervision of the Microbiology Department of our Faculty. The theoretical work will be based on analytical+computational modeling using techniques borrowed from fluid dynamics, topology and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics/soft matter. We have some flexibility to decide the specific research strategy depending on the selected candidate.

The successful applicant must be motivated by both theory and experiments. A good knowledge of statistical mechanics and phase transitions will be highly appreciated. International collaborations during the PhD (three years extendable to a fourth) are possible, mainly with the PMMH Lab in Paris, France. Knowledge of Spanish is not a prerequisite, but being able to fluently communicate in English is mandatory. There are no citizenship restrictions.

The selection process to fill this position consists of two rounds. First we will select one candidate based on the merits reflected in the Curriculum Vitae and on the scientific vision the candidate will show during an interview. The successful applicant will then compete for internal funding from our university in the second round of the process.

The student will join a group with well established external funding, with people having expertise in hydrodynamics, non-linear physics, modeling, statistical mechanics, soft matter and related fields. Apart from the equipment available from several collaborations, the student will have access to an humidity and temperature controlled chamber, microscopes, a LWIR camera with microscope objective, commercial spin-coater, among other facilities. The University also owns a high performance computing center, to which the student will have access.

Applicants must submit an email to csl-at-unav@googlegroups.com, with the (strict, for filtering purposes) heading “PhD University of Navarra”. The email must contain a motivation letter and a declaration of research interests in the context of our proposal (new model systems, interesting questions, or any idea the candidate finds motivating and worth mentioning); both documents must be attached in PDF format. Additionally, in the body of the email, the candidate will provide the contact information (name, affiliation and electronic address) of two scientists/professors willing to support their application by writing a letter. Applicants must also attach a (non official) certification of grades in PDF format (Degree+Master) . Recommendations must be sent to the same address and using the same subject (“PhD University of Navarra”), explicitly mentioning in the body of the message the name and school of the supported student, and attaching the recommendation letter in PDF format. The position will remain open until it is filled.

The University of Navarra is a private not-for-profit, Roman Catholic university which receives students from all over the world. It is ranked as the best private university in Spain. Its main mission is to seek out and communicate the truth, contribute to the academic, cultural and personal advancement of its students, promote scientific research and teaching, offer professors and other employees outstanding opportunities to develop, and undertake a wide-ranging endeavor of cultural communication and social promotion. Pamplona is the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Navarre, in Spain. It is a beautiful medium-size city of industry and services, with many places of cultural and historical value.