Research Associate

Reference Number 4538

Location Science Site, Durham

Faculty/Division Science

Department Physics

Grade Grade 7

Position Type Full Time

Contract Type Fixed Term

Salary (£)31342 - 37394

Closing Date 24 May 2015

Job Description
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in theoretical and computational soft condensed matter, to work with Dr Halim Kusumaatmaja in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

The aim of this project is to study the interplay between bilayer asymmetry, domain formation, and curvature in multicomponent lipidic cubic phases, focussing on both the equilibrium morphologies and the dynamics of phase separation of the cubic phases. Depending on the background of the candidate, this project can be primarily computational, or combine numerics with analytical work. This project will be carried out in collaboration with experimental groups within the CAPITALS Programme.

The ‘CAPITALS’ Programme (www.capitals-programme.org) is a large-scale collaboration between groups at Imperial, Cambridge, Leeds, Nottingham and Durham funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The researchers involved in this programme will work collaboratively at the forefront of the emerging field of molecular membrane engineering to design, construct and characterise new biologically-inspired devices and systems based on lipid bilayer structures. This will revolutionise the design and fabrication of smart, soft materials and in the longer term, will lead to a paradigm shift in areas such as nanomedicine, bioelectronics, biological computing devices and synthetic cells.

The position is to commence in August 2015 or as soon as possible thereafter. It is a fixed-term post for 12 months in the first instance with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12 months

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to halim.kusumaatmaja@durham.ac.uk.

Requirements

The principal objectives of this study are:

• to develop theory and coarse-grained simulation methods for investigating membrane-based systems.
• to study competing morphologies in bulk lipid mesophases.
• to study the role of bilayer asymmetry and curvature in the dynamics of lipid phase separation.

Responsibilities
The specific duties of the post are:

• to become familiar with the theoretical and simulation methodologies as needed to carry out the research (Monte Carlo simulation, field theory based techniques), to code the simulation program, and to test the code carefully against known benchmark results.
• to study competing morphologies in membrane-based systems, to construct the appropriate phase diagram, and to compute their possible transition pathways.
• to investigate phase separation in lipidic cubic phases, to study the nature of the phase transition, to understand the role of curvature and bilayer asymmetry, and to study the coarsening dynamics.
• where appropriate, to synthesize the theoretical/simulation results into robust design principles for new applications based on the lipid bilayer structures.
• to work with the PI and his group members to address any unforeseen scientific and numerical challenges during the project.
• to attend and actively participate in regular project meetings, to provide regular reports on the progress of the project.
• to communicate and collaborate with the experimental partners within the CAPITALS project (http://www.capitals-programme.org).
• to disseminate the results of the project by writing papers for relevant journals, and by conference presentations.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Excellent background in theoretical soft condensed matter and biophysics.
• Excellent first degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or a related subject.
• Have a Ph.D. (or have submitted a thesis) in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or a related subject.
• Research skills or potential at an international level. 
• Experience in computer simulation of soft condensed matter systems and/or biophysics.
• Experience in statistical mechanics.
• Fluency in a least one scientific computer language (eg C, C++, Fortran), with strong experience of writing programmes in this language.
• Ability to understand and present technical information to both specialists and non-specialists at conferences and in meetings with the PI.
• Excellent written communication skills in english and ability to write up own research work for publications, with associated necessary IT skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills in english.
• Ability to prepare suitable oral and poster presentations to convey information about research.
• Team-working and interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Specific knowledge relevant to membrane biophysics.
• Experience in coarse-grained modelling.
• Experience in modelling multicomponent systems, particularly in the context of phase separation.
• Experience in modelling systems with competing minimum energy configurations.
• Basic knowledge in differential geometry
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux operating systems. 
• Experience of data analysis of numerical results.

To proceed with your application process, please click the "Apply Through Website" button.

Additional Information & Interview Date
Durham University, founded in 1832, is the third oldest English University. It is in the Top 100 Universities in the world as ranked by Times Higher Education and QS (2014/2015), and the Department of Physics (https://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/) is currently ranked 3rd in the UK Complete University Guide (2015). Soft matter and Biophysics are fast growing research areas in the University with the recent establishments of the Durham Centre for Soft Matter (https://www.dur.ac.uk/soft.matter), the Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces (https://www.dur.ac.uk/soft.matter/cdt/), and the Biophysical Sciences Institute (https://www.dur.ac.uk/bsi/).

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.