I am looking for 2 PhD students to conduct their research education in my lab at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. Each position is for projects in experimental soft matter and biological physics in the area of active liquid crystals.

Starting date: Latest 1 September 2025 

Project background
Just as liquid crystal molecules align with each other, in the same way many cell types align spontaneously over large distances. This behavior has consequences for their organization as well as for their physiological properties. I am looking for motivated candidates to investigate the behavior of living cells in analogy with liquid crystals.

Research Group

You will be part of the Phylife group at the University of Southern Denmark, an interdisciplinary group within the university that brings together physicists, chemists, biologists and engineers. The work during the PhD projects involves maintaining cell cultures and working with optical microscopy and micro-fabrication. The group has recently acquired a Nanoscribe Quantum X printer that will constitute a major research tool to investigate cells’ organization in 2 and 3 dimensions. During the PhD study you will also be engaged in teaching and outreach/or activities of the department.

Qualifications
To be a suitable candidate, you must have:
•    a Masters degree in physics, biophysics or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience 
•    an interest in biological physics
•    a desire to work in an inclusive, collaborative and interdisciplinary environment  

In addition, the following skills, while not mandatory, will be positively evaluated: 
•    documented research experience in the field of experimental soft matter physics, biophysics or biomedicine
•    solid hands-on experience in wet lab work and/or with cell culture
•    experience with 3D laser printing or bioprinting

The candidate must be independent and fluent in English both oral and written.

The appointment will be for a term of three years and is expected to start at latest in September 2025 and possibly earlier. Funding for travel to conferences and workshops is also available.

 The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and is located in Odense. The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is a department focused on basic research. We are happy to move beyond traditional disciplines and work to develop new technologies and sciences across physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, computer science and biology. The department’s research thus contributes to new knowledge and solutions with applications in the areas of climate, environment, energy, and health.

The Ph.D. candidate will be part of the Section for Physics.
The deadline for applications: 15. april 2025.

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk