Thomas Hermans

PhD position in Swarming Supramolecular Robots (SUPRABOT) at Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Madrid, Spain. This is a three-year, optionally four-year, full-time PhD opportunity within the ERC Consolidator Grant project Swarming supramolecular robots (Suprabot, proposal 101087514) funded through Horizon Europe – ERC. The project aims to develop fully synthetic, micron-sized supramolecular robots that can be activated and deactivated chemically or by light to generate collective behavior. The PhD research will focus on how interactions among many suprabots lead to self-organization, including swarm structuring and collective motion. The selected candidate will join the System Chemistry Team at IMDEA Nanociencia on the Cantoblanco campus and work under the supervision of Prof. Thomas Hermans. The group works at the interface of supramolecular chemistry and fluidics, with a research culture centered on chemical reaction networks, hydrogel control, and innovative fluidic device fabrication using magnetic levitation. Research methods in the project include experimental physical chemistry, microfluidics, microscopy, and quantitative analysis. The wider environment offers access to advanced microscopy and microfluidic platforms, opportunities to attend conferences, and an international collaborative setting. A 4-month international research stay is also foreseen. Eligibility highlights: applicants should have an MSc degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field. The post seeks a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in experimental research on non-equilibrium and self-organizing systems, plus good English communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team. Application deadline: 5 October 2026. Apply via the IMDEA Nanociencia selection website.