Summary
The Active Soft Matter Lab at the University of Twente is offering a fully funded, high-impact PhD journey supported by an ERC Consolidator Grant. The project focuses on the experimental realization, study, and 3D real-space dynamics of artificial microswimmers/microrobots that move and interact autonomously in fluid environments, mimicking microorganisms.
Position Details
| Feature | Details |
| Designation | PhD Candidate |
| Research Area | Synthetic Active Matter, 3D Soft Matter, Biophysics, Colloidal Physics |
| Location | Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands |
| Employment Type | Full-time (38 – 40 hours per week) |
| Duration | 4 years (with a qualifier assessment in the first year) |
| Starting Date | October 1, 2026 (Negotiable) |
| Application Deadline | August 20, 2026 |
Salary & Benefits
- Gross Monthly Salary: €3,059 (1st year) progressing up to €3,881 (4th year), in accordance with the Dutch CAO-NU.
- Holiday Allowance: 8% of the gross annual salary.
- End-of-Year Bonus: 8.3%.
- Leave Hours: Minimum of 232 annual leave hours (plus an additional 96 extra leave hours for a practical 40-hour workweek).
- Perks: Free campus sports facility access, solid pension scheme, paid/unpaid parental leave, and a tailored training program through the Twente Graduate School.
Job Description
As a PhD candidate on this project, your core responsibilities will include:
- Developing an experimental platform to study the 3D self-organization of active particles.
- Fabricating and characterizing light-driven microswimmers.
- Utilizing advanced optical microscopy and particle tracking to analyze autonomous motion and particle interactions.
- Investigating emergent behaviors like swarming, clustering, and collective navigation in confined, complex environments.
- Translating findings to derive design principles for smart, adaptive microsystems (e.g., targeted drug delivery, cargo transport, biosensing).
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Educational Background: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Biophysics, or a related field at the interface of physics and chemistry. Graduates with an MSc in Chemical, Materials, or Mechanical Engineering are welcome if their thesis work involved soft matter.
- Experimental Skills: Prior hands-on experience with optical microscopy and colloidal particle synthesis is highly preferred (though not mandatory).
- Programming: Working knowledge or hands-on experience with Python, ImageJ, and/or MATLAB for data and image processing.
- Communication: Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application through the university’s online portal by uploading the following documents:
- Cover Letter: Detailing your motivation, qualifications, research experience, and possible starting date (maximum 1 page).
- Curriculum Vitae: Including a list of publications (if applicable).
- Transcripts: Digital Bachelor’s and Master’s degree transcripts.
- References: Names and contact details of two academic/professional references who have worked closely with you.
For substantive questions regarding the position, you can contact Dr. H. R. Vutukuri via email at h.r.vutukuri@utwente.nl or by phone at +31 53 489 3223.
Last Date to Apply
August 20, 2026
