The Computational Soft Matter Group in the Department of Physics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is inviting for applications to a postdoc position. The research group led by Prof. Rui Zhang is looking for a strong candidate who are interested in developing theoretical framework and/or carrying out computational modeling to design novel soft materials for applications in soft robotics, microfluidics and biomimetic materials. Candidates with a PhD degree having a solid theoretical and computational background in soft matter physics, fluid dynamics or elasticity theory are encouraged to apply.

The Computational Soft Matter Group leader, Prof. Rui Zhang, is a recipient of Early Career awarded by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong. Prior to joining HKUST as a PI in 2020, Prof. Zhang worked at the University of Chicago and City College of New York. He is a computational physicist specialized in multiscale simulations, including Molecular Dynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Prof. Zhang’s research team at HKUST relies on fluid dynamics, molecular simulation and machine learning to understand and design new materials based on polymers, liquid crystals, active matter, metamaterials or others. The group is closely working with world-leading experimental collaborators. Prof. Zhang has published in top-tier journals, among which are Nature Materials, Nature Reviews Materials, Physical Review Letters, PNAS, Science Advances, and Nature Communications.

HKUST is a world-renowned, first-class research university located at the quiet and beautiful Clear Water Bay in Hong Kong. It is an international campus with English its working language. It is ranked first in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings in 2019 and second by QS world's under-50 universities in 2020. The Department of Physics at HKUST has a strong group of experimental soft matter physicists who span a broad range of research areas including colloids, complex fluids, polymers and metamaterials. Abundant collaboration opportunities are available for prospective theoretical and computational students who are interested in soft matter physics and engineering. The initial appointment is for one year and can be extended upon mutual satisfaction. For more information, please contact Prof. Zhang at ruizhang@ust.hk