Post-doctoral Researcher in Microscale Fluid Transport by Active Surfaces University of Warsaw in Poland

University of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, is recruiting a Post-doctoral researcher for a 24-month full-time appointment in the project “Microscale fluid transport by active surfaces” (NCN SONATA BIS 13, project no. 2023/50/E/ST3/000465).

The project is led by Professor Maciej Lisicki and focuses on the physics of microscale fluid transport generated by active surfaces such as ciliary carpets, cell and microorganism surfaces, and engineered biomimetic systems. The successful candidate will investigate how surface geometry, the spatiotemporal organisation of actuation, and unsteady effects shape flow structure, transport, and mixing.

The research combines theoretical and numerical modelling with the analysis of experimental data. The models developed in the project will be used to study biophysical transport near active surfaces and to understand hydrodynamics related to swimming, feeding, and interactions of microorganisms. The position therefore sits at the interface of chemical physics, computational physics, statistical physics, and biophysical fluid dynamics.

This is a postdoctoral opportunity at the University of Warsaw, Poland, with employment starting on 1 January 2027. The role is full-time (40 hours per week). Benefits listed in the advert include health coverage for Poland and the EU and access to travel funds for international meetings and conferences.

Applicants must hold a PhD in physical sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related discipline, awarded no earlier than seven years before employment, subject to NCN career-break rules. The post-doc must also satisfy NCN eligibility conditions, including independence from the supervisor relationship with the PI, PhD awarded by a different institution than the host institution (or an equivalent postdoctoral fellowship condition), and restrictions on receiving other concurrent remuneration. Strong experience in mathematical modelling, simulation, numerical methods, and data analysis is required, together with a solid research record and very good English.

Applications should be submitted by 30 October 2026. Candidates are asked to provide a questionnaire, diploma or proof of expected PhD completion, CV and list of publications, an English cover letter, and contact details of at least two referees. Documents should be sent by email to [email protected]. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview, and the competition process is expected to conclude by 10 November 2026.

For additional context, the job is based in the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, with project-related information available via the Soft Matter group website. The position is a strong fit for researchers interested in microscale hydrodynamics, active matter, biological transport processes, and computational/theoretical modelling in soft and biological physics.