PhD Fellowship in Biophysics

PhD Fellowship in Computational Modelling of Active Materials and Their Environment

Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science — University of Copenhagen

About the Role

The Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a PhD fellowship in computational modelling of active materials and their environment, with an expected start date of 1 December 2026. This is a full-time, three-year position embedded within a newly established and highly dynamic research group working at the intersection of physics, biology, and fluid mechanics.

Please note that this fellowship is advertised alongside a corresponding Postdoctoral position; only one of the two positions will be filled.

The Research Project

Many microorganisms — including bacteria and cancer cells — exhibit remarkable collective dynamics often described as "living liquids" or active fluids. These behaviours emerge from local internal energy injection and bear striking similarities to conventional fluid dynamics, where macro-scale boundaries and confinement shape large-scale flow patterns and influence the micro-scale behaviour of individual organisms.

A critical distinction, however, is that many biological systems exist within deformable, adaptable environments — such as the mucus layers found throughout the human body or the granular matrices of soil. In these settings, the relationship between the organism and its surroundings becomes bidirectional: the environment shapes the organism's behaviour, while the organism simultaneously restructures its environment. This phenomenon, known as mechanoreciprocity, gives rise to a fascinating range of biological processes, including:

• Cancer cell invasion into surrounding extracellular matrix
• Soil-dwelling bacteria burrowing through sand and porous media
• Pathogenic bacterial infection of mucosal layers

This PhD project will employ cutting-edge computational models to investigate this bidirectional relationship — exploring how microorganisms not only adapt to, but also actively reshape, their soft and deformable surroundings. The successful candidate will work to characterise these dynamics across multiple scales, contributing to a deeper understanding of microorganisms as effective ecosystem engineers.

Our Group and What We Offer

As a newly established research group, we combine discrete and continuum simulation approaches to study pattern formation and collective dynamics in biological matter. Our primary computational toolkit includes a particle-based mesoscale hydrodynamic solver (MPCD — Multi-Particle Collision Dynamics), integrated with continuum simulations to achieve a multiscale perspective on active systems.

We offer:

• A creative, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating research environment at the interface of physics, biology, and fluid mechanics
• Access to high-performance computing facilities supporting large-scale simulations
• Active collaboration with researchers who develop and maintain the numerical solvers used in our work
• Opportunities to engage with an international network of researchers across disciplines
• A PhD fellowship structured in accordance with Danish legislation, typically running for three years, with a competitive salary set according to Danish Union Contracts — highly competitive within the international academic community

Responsibilities

As a PhD fellow, you will be expected to:

• Carry out an independent research project under the supervision of the principal supervisor
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS (½ FTE)
• Participate actively in the research environment, including a research stay at another institution, preferably abroad
• Engage in teaching and knowledge dissemination activities within the department
• Author and co-author scientific papers targeted at high-impact international journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on your research project

Requirements

To be eligible for the PhD programme, candidates must hold a degree equivalent to a Danish Master's degree (180 ECTS BSc + 120 ECTS MSc) in a relevant field such as Physics, Biophysics, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related discipline.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Professional qualifications directly relevant to the PhD project, including a strong background in computational or theoretical physics
• Programming experience — familiarity with scientific computing environments and simulation methods is preferred
• A genuine interest in biophysical systems, soft matter, and active matter physics
• A curious and independent mindset with the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Relevant publications or research experience (desirable but not required)
• Relevant reference letters from academic supervis