活性物质控制容量博士职位

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PhD Position: Control Capacity of Active Matter Using Activity Landscapes Full PhD Working Language German, English

Location Leipzig

Application Deadline 22. Oct 2026

Starting Date as soon as possible

• Overview • Description • Required Documents • Application

Overview Open Positions 1

Time Span as soon as possible for 3 years

Application Deadline 22. Oct 2026

Financing yes

Type of Position Full PhD

Working Language • German • English

Required Degree Master

Areas of study Experimental Physics, Physics

Description Description About the Project The Molecular Nanophotonics Group at Leipzig University, led by Prof. Dr. Frank Cichos, invites applications for a doctoral researcher position in a joint ISF-DFG project with the group of Prof. Dr. Yael Roichman at Tel Aviv University. Our group pioneered “photon nudging”, the feedback control of light-driven microswimmers, and has since combined it with reinforcement learning, physical reservoir computing and programmable hydrodynamics. Start Date: January 1, 2027 (or earliest possible date) Research Focus: How many collective degrees of freedom of an active system can we actually control, and at what energetic cost? You will help to build a quantitative framework for controlling active matter with light, bridging stochastic thermodynamics and control theory. The project combines: • Self-thermophoretic Janus microswimmers driven by dynamic laser landscapes (Cichos group, Leipzig) • Light-powered bristle robots on a programmable LED arena (Roichman group, Tel Aviv University) • A shared theoretical framework built on fundamental thermodynamic limits

Comparing microswimmers with robots will reveal which limits of control are universal, from single particles to swarms, with applications from microswimmer transport to energy-efficient swarm robotics. What You Will Do • Design and run experiments with light-driven Janus microswimmers, shaping activity landscapes in real time with a spatial light modulator • Fabricate microfluidic chips and measure the energy that drives the particles • Track hundreds of interacting particles with machine-learning methods and test fundamental thermodynamic bounds on control • Work closely with the Tel Aviv team through monthly joint meetings • Present findings at international conferences and co-author publications in high-impact journals

Qualifications • Master's degree in Physics or Physical Chemistry with excellent academic standing • Solid background in soft matter, statistical or non-equilibrium physics, and a keen interest in connecting experiment with theory • Hands-on experience in optics, video microscopy, particle tracking and/or microfluidics • Programming experience for data analysis and experiment automation (Python preferred; machine-learning experience is a plus) • Excellent English and enjoyment of interdisciplinary teamwork

What We Offer • State-of-the-art laser and microscopy setups for real-time, light-driven control of active particles • Research stays in the Roichman lab in Tel Aviv and a binational team working on shared protocols and joint publications • The chance to help shape a new research direction at the interface of active matter, stochastic thermodynamics and control • Support for international conference travel • Professional development opportunities including teaching experience and transferable skills training • Vibrant research community in a culturally rich and affordable European city

Application Process Please submit the following documents and information to cichos at physik. uni-leipzig. de by 22 October 2026: • Cover letter (max. 1 page) outlining your interest in the project, relevant skills and career goals • Names and contact information of at least two academic references • CV/resume including any publications or conference presentations • Academic transcripts (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)

About Leipzig University Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany's leading research institutions with a strong international focus. For more information about our research: https://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mona Partner group in Tel Aviv: https://www.roichmanlab.sites.tau.ac.il/ We are committed to increasing diversity in STEM and strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.

Required Documents Required Documents • Motivation letter • CV • Certificates • Transcripts

Application Application

https://home.uni-leipzig.de/~physik/sites/mona/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/PhD-Position-ISF-DFG.pdf

https://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mona Contact Leipzig University Molecular Nanophotonics Group, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics Frank Cichos Address Street Linnéstr. 5 Zipcode 04103 City Leipzig

Contact details E-Mail: cichos at physik. uni-leipzig. de Web: https://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mona