Are you fascinated by how molecules assemble into complex structures and how this impacts modern biotechnological applications? In our research group, we study fundamental physical processes at the molecular level using molecular dynamics simulations.
About the Program
The PhD candidate will join the Biophysics Group at the Department of Theoretical Physics (F-1) and become part of our international research network, which includes researchers from multiple foreign institutions, primarily in Germany. The central goal of the research will be to gain a deeper understanding of the stability of supramolecular structures formed by surfactants and lipids—substances that are crucial for a wide range of natural and technological processes.
Why are surfactants and lipids interesting?
Surfactants, often referred to as “surface-active agents,” are unique molecules with a dual nature: one part interacts with water, while the other prefers oil. This property enables them to form micelles, vesicles, and adsorb onto surfaces, which is essential for numerous applications—from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to advanced biotechnological solutions.
Lipids are particularly intriguing, as they are the fundamental building blocks of biological membranes and play a key role in nanomedicine, for example, in the development of lipid nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.
Despite their significance, many aspects of surfactant self-assembly mechanisms remain unexplored. Classical simulations are limited by time scales, so we will employ advanced computational techniques to gain molecular-level insights into these processes.
What will the candidate do?
- Develop computational models of surfactants and lipids based on established interatomic potentials.
- Use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study molecular behavior, focusing on processes such as micellization, aggregation, and adsorption.
- Access high-performance computing infrastructure at Department F-1 for running complex simulations.
- Integrate simulation results with theoretical approaches to develop a comprehensive thermodynamic description of the systems.
- Investigate modern biotechnological concepts, such as surfactant films, micelles, and lipid-coated nanobubbles.
Who are we looking for?
- A candidate with a background in physics, chemistry, materials science, or related fields.
- Someone interested in combining theory and simulations.
Prior experience in programming or computational simulations is welcome but not required.