Research Fellow in Active Matter Full-time

Research Fellow in Active Matter

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position within the Soft Active Matter (S.A.M.) Group, led by Prof. Giorgio Volpe, at UCL Chemistry. The post-holder will focus on developing and studying the collective behaviour of social active colloids that can communicate indirectly through the environment like social insects.

The research is highly multidisciplinary, and the post-holder will primarily focus on designing and implementing the experimental setup, preparing samples, acquiring and analysing data as well as performing numerical simulations of active systems. This will involve: setting up, calibrating and using lasers, optical paths, spatial light modulators and microscopes; developing, maintaining and using hardware and software (e.g. LabView, Matlab) for setup automation and data acquisition; sample manufacturing and cleanroom techniques (including photo-/soft-lithography, 3D-printing, thin-film deposition); wet-lab preparation of colloidal samples for optical microscopy; developing and using particle tracking programmes (e.g. in MatLab, Python); developing and running simulations of active particles (e.g. in MatLab, Python); applying advanced image-analysis or machine‑learning tools for extracting behavioural patterns from particle trajectories; and, where appropriate, implementing real‑time feedback control of active particle systems.

The successful candidate will be part of the S.A.M. Group's research management team, will contribute to the supervision of students, and will be involved in writing papers and grant applications, as well as disseminating research to various audiences, including at leading international conferences. Experience with good software‑engineering practices (e.g., version control, reproducible workflows) is desirable. Information about the group can be found at https://activematterlab.org.

The post is funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Grant with an anticipated start date of the 1st of July 2026. The duration of the post is for 12 months in the first instance, with a possibility of extending for up to a further 24 months.

We are seeking an outstanding and innovative scientist with proven ability (at doctoral level or equivalent) in several of the following experimental areas: soft matter; active matter; photonics; micro-/nanofabrication; colloidal science; microfluidics; complex systems or collective behaviour modelling (e.g., agent‑based models); data science or machine learning applied to physical systems; and control or automation of experimental setups. They should have a PhD degree (or be close to completion) in Active Matter, Soft Matter, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, or a relevant discipline as well as a demonstrated commitment to excellence in science.

To apply for the vacancy please click on the 'Apply' button below.

When uploading your application, please state why are interested in the post, demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria, and include your CV with a list of publications.

For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Giorgio Volpe, g.volpe@ucl.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process can be directed to hr.chem@ucl.ac.uk, as we wish to encourage online applications.

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme

• Hybrid Final Salary Pension Scheme

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• On-Site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance

Visit UCL Staff Rewards and Benefits to find out more.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: Equality Diversity & Inclusion