PhD Fellowship in BioPhysics Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Computational Modelling Of Active Materials And Their Environment

The Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in computational modelling of active materials and their environment. Start date is (expected to be) 1 December 2026.

The project Many microorganisms, such as bacteria and cancer cells, exhibit remarkable collective dynamics, often described as “living liquids” or active fluids, and arise due to local internal energy injection. Like conventional liquids, the macro-scale confinement, or boundaries, of the fluid can control their flow patterns, and the micro-scale behaviour of the microorganisms. However, many physical systems exist within a deformable environment such as the mucus layers in the body.

As a result, not only does this living liquid get affected by its environment, but it can also reshape its soft surroundings as a form of mechanoreciprocity. This leads to a range of fascinating phenomena, such as cancer cells invading surrounding extracellular matrix, soil-dwelling bacteria burrowing through sand, and the infection of mucus by pathogenic bacteria. This research project will use computational models to explore the bidirectional relationship between an organism's motility and its adaptable environment, investigating how microorganisms not only adapt to, but also actively restructure their surroundings.

This application is posted with a corresponding Postdoc position and only one of the positions will be filled.

We are looking for candidates interested in biophysical systems and computational physics, with preference for some knowledge about programming.

As a newly established research group, we utilize state-of-the-art computational models to study pattern formation in microorganisms. By combining discrete solvers, particularly a particle-based mesoscale hydrodynamic solver known as MPCD, with continuum simulations, we aim to characterize the collective dynamics of biological matter, their hydrodynamic interactions, and their influence on adaptable environments. This multiscale approach enables us to explore active systems that actively restructure their surroundings as effective ecosystem engineers.

We offer a highly creative and collaborative research atmosphere at the interface between physics, biology and fluid mechanics. Our research facilitates high performance computing facilities and actively encourage cooperation and or collaboration with the researchers who develop the numerical solvers used. The PhD fellowship is given in accordance with Danish legislation and will typically run for 3 years. The salary is set accordingly to Danish Union Contracts which are very competitive within the international academic community.

Principal supervisor is Dr. Kristian Thijssen, Niels Bohr Institute, kristian.thijssen@nbi.ku.dk.

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Physics.

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in soft matter systems
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026, 23:59 (CEST) We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process here.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in September.

Questions For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.