"Research Fellow - Shape-Transforming Active Microfluidics x2 (111445-0326)"

University of Warwick - Mathematics

About the Role

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Professor Tom Montenegro-Johnson at Tom.Montenegro-Johnson@warwick.ac.uk.

Start Date

• This advert includes x2 Research Fellow fixed-term positions, for up to 18 months dependant on start date. The end date is fixed as 30th November 2027.

The newly-founded Soft Matter Mathematics Group at the University of Warwick are looking for up to 4 creative and enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers to join Prof. Tom Montenegro-Johnson in working on a range of problems as part of the Leverhulme-funded Award “Shape-Transforming Active Microfluidics”.

The work is a primarily theoretical/computational exploration of microscale dynamics of systems that are both “active” (such as Janus particles), and soft/flexible, with some shape-change components (for instance, temperature-responsive hydrogels). We are interested in using this coupled dynamics to provide additional functionality to microscale systems, such as microfluidic actuators and swarms of biomedical microbots.

You will be working as part of an inclusive and flexible team, based in the Warwick Maths Institute, a world-leading mathematics department. You will have, if desired, opportunities to travel in the UK and abroad, on research visits to collaborating groups and to conferences, as well as the opportunity to engage with industry via the department’s new CAMaCS centre. You will be given both time and mentoring support to develop your own research profile and broader skills.

You will work closely with experimental collaborators, have the opportunity to engage with industrial partners, and have the opportunity to undertake experimental work yourself. Public Engagement, and working with artists, is an important part of our practice as a group.

About You

You should have (or be due to submit soon) a PhD, or have equivalent experience, in applied mathematics, physics, an engineering science (including chemical engineering), or computational science.

You will be part of a team with a broad range of expertise, and you are particularly encouraged to apply if you have experience in any of (but not limited to):

1. Continuum Mechanics (fluid and solid)
2. Soft Matter Physics
3. AI for applied mathematics
4. Asymptotic Analysis
5. Biological/Active Matter

You will have excellent communication and presentation skills, and be comfortable talking about your work with academics from other disciplines and non-specialists. You will have a record of research papers published in journals (or accepted to be published). You will have a high capacity for original research and creative thought, as well as the ability to manage your time effectively across multiple strands of research.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description.

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.

Closing Deadline: Sunday 12th April 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)