PhD position "Synthetic Active Matter: Unravelling 3D Real-Space Dynamics"

Job description

The project focuses on the experimental realization and study of artificial microswimmers/microrobots that can move and interact autonomously in 3D environments, mimicking the complex dynamics of microorganisms in fluids.

Living systems such as bacteria or algae exhibit remarkable capabilities: they swim, adapt, interact, and self-organize into dynamic patterns. Understanding and replicating these life-like dynamics in synthetic systems remains a major challenge across physics, chemistry, biophysics, and materials science.

In this PhD project, you will:

§  Develop an experimental platform to study 3D self-organization of active particles.

§  Fabricate and characterize light-driven microswimmers.

§  Use advanced optical microscopy and particle tracking to analyze their motion and interactions.
Investigate emergent behaviors such as swarming, clustering, and collective navigation in confined and complex environments.

The project will build on an interdisciplinary approach, combining concepts and methods from physics, chemistry, and mathematical modelling.

The long-term goal is to derive design principles for constructing smart, adaptive microsystems, potentially useful for targeted drug delivery, cargo transport, biosensing, microfluidic mixing, or self-healing materials.

The successful candidate will join the Active Soft Matter Lab within the TNW Faculty, the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. This position offers ample opportunities for collaboration and interaction with various academic and industrial partners. You will work in a dynamic, highly interdisciplinary environment, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to further the understanding and applications of microswimmers.

Starting Date: 1st  October 2026 (but negotiable).

References:

1. Shelke, et al; Science 392, 202–203 (2026). Science, 2026. Featured on the Cover-Page
2. S. van der Ham, A. F. V. Matias, M. Dijkstra, and H. R. Vutukuri, “Dynamic bidirectional coupling of membrane morphology and rod organization in flexible vesicles, “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 123, e2604848123 (2026 )
3. T. Sunkesula Raghavendra, Y. Shelke, S. van Ham, A. Nair S, and H. R. Vutukuri, “Programmable persistent random walks in active Brownian particles govern emergent dynamics, “Communications Physics 9, 166 (2026)
4. Vutukuri, et al., Nature, 586, 52, 2020. Active particles induce large shape deformations in giant lipid vesicles
5. Vutukuri, et al., Nat. Communi, 11,2686, 2020. Light-switchable propulsion of active particles with reversible interactions

6. Susana, et al.,  Nat. Communi, 14,7896, 2023. A colloidal viewpoint on the sausage catastrophe and the finite spherepackingproblem

Your profile

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who meets the following criteria:

• Educational Background:

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in (Applied)Physics, Chemistry, Biophysics, or a related field at the interface between Physics and Chemistry. Candidates with an MSc in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering are also welcome to apply, particularly if their thesis work involved soft matter.

• Experimental Skills (preferred but not mandatory):

Prior experience with experimental techniques, especially in optical microscopy and colloidal particle synthesis, is considered a strong asset.

• Programming and Data Analysis:

Working knowledge or hands-on experience with Python, ImageJ, and/or MATLAB is highly beneficial for image processing and data analysis.

• Communication:

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English are essential for effective collaboration and dissemination of research findings.

Our offer

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,-  (first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year).
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

Information and application

Selection process:

Please submit your online application before 20th August 2026 for full consideration. Your application should include the following documents:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation, qualifications, and research experience for the position (max 1 page)—possible starting date.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (if applicable).
• Digital bachelor and master transcripts.
• Name and contact details of two references who worked closely with you.
• Note that we accept applications submitted through our online application portal.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. H. R. Vutukuri ( [staat bij de werkgever] )/ [staat bij de werkgever].

Screening is part of the selection process.

About the department

Our faculty of science and technology (TNW) focuses on three domains, namely Physics, Chemistry, and Health. We are the home base for the research institutes TechMed, MESA+, the Techno Centre for Education and Research  TCO , and the Twente Graduate School  TGS . TNW offers six Bachelor's and seven Master's programs in (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Nanotechnology, and Technical Medicine. Over 850 colleagues and 2,700 students are active within the faculty of Science & Technology. The University of Twente is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We do not discriminate on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Because we value diversity, we particularly encourage women to apply.

Our lab Active Soft Matter is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology and the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. We focus on active soft matter and bioinspired materials, combining fundamental physics with cutting-edge experimental techniques.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape socie