Research Associate in Cell Biophysics & Biological Active Matter (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge - Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 7th April 2026

Closes: 4th May 2026

Job Ref: LE49271

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Jalaal Group at the University of Cambridge, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP). The successful candidate will be part of an active and interdisciplinary team of physicists and mathematicians and work on experimental and theoretical investigations of intracellular dynamics in photosynthetic organisms including plants and dinoflagellates.

The project focuses on understanding how organelles (e.g, chloroplasts) sense, respond to, and adapt under varying environmental conditions, in particular different light regimes. Building on recent work from the group (Schramma et al. PNAS 2023,2024,2025), the research will combine advanced confocal and fluorescence microscopy, mechano-sensing assays, quantitative image processing and data analysis. The postdoc will also contribute to the theoretical side of the project, developing models grounded in active matter physics, non-equilibrium statistical physics, and the physics of adaptive and learning materials to interpret experimental observations.

The position offers a structured career development path within an active and ambitious research group and department. The postdoc will be involved in the supervision of students and contribute to the mentoring of junior researchers (including planning and delivering seminars), and play an active role in developing fellowship applications and research grant proposals.

The successful candidate will have (or expect to soon be awarded) a PhD in physics, engineering, biology, or a related field, and will have:

• Hands-on experience with confocal and/or fluorescence microscopy
• Strong skills in image processing and quantitative data analysis
• Strong background in theory of soft/active/biological matter
• Familiarity with theoretical or computational approaches from statistical physics
• A track record of original research
• An ability to communicate material of a technical nature and build internal and external contacts

The position is expected to be available from 1 September 2026.

Limit of tenure: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance. The post may be further renewed for a period of up to 12 months.

Further information about the department and the group can be found at

DAMTP: http://damtp.cam.ac.uk

Lab: http://www.fluidlab.nl

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Maziyar Jalaal at m.jalaal@damtp.cam.ac.uk.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact LE49271@maths.cam.ac.uk.

Please indicate the contact details (including their email addresses) of three academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent research (not to exceed three pages). Please ensure that your referees are contactable at any time during the selection process, and are made aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Office Administrator to request that they upload a reference for you to our Web Recruitment System; and please encourage them to do so promptly.

Please quote reference LE49271 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.