Martin van Hecke

This PhD position at Leiden University focuses on the creation and study of 'animate materials'—a new class of materials with life-like abilities such as motion, shape-morphing, and intelligent behaviour. The project is part of the Dutch national consortium 'Emergence at all Scales' (EAAS), which brings together multiple universities and research institutes to investigate emergent phenomena across scales, combining expertise from physics, mathematics, astronomy, history and philosophy of science, and social science. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. Martin van Hecke and Prof. Daniela Kraft, whose research groups are embedded in the Smart Living Active Matter Center at Leiden University's physics department. The project aims to identify general design principles for animate materials and develop experimental realizations at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. The research environment is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, offering access to state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities to participate in scientific activities, meetings, workshops, and science communication initiatives. The position also involves contributing 10% of time to teaching activities, such as supervising exercise classes and research projects for BSc and MSc students. Applicants should have a background in physics, strong communication skills in English, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience in soft matter, metamaterials, quantitative image analysis, and Python programming is advantageous but not required. The university encourages applications from women and under-represented groups. The position offers a competitive salary (€3059 - €3881 gross per month), full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs, generous leave and holiday allowances, pension scheme, flexible working hours, options for sabbatical or paid parental leave, sports subscription and bicycle scheme, hybrid working possibilities, and provision of a laptop and mobile phone. The university values inclusivity, diversity, and personal development, and is located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, providing a dynamic and international environment. Applications should be submitted online and include a CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and contact details for two professional references. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2025, with a preferred starting date in January 2026. For further information, candidates may contact Marissa van Steijn, but applications sent directly to her email will not be considered. More details about employment conditions and the application procedure can be found on the university's website.