Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational Modeling of Cell and Tissue Dynamics

Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational Modeling of Cell and Tissue Dynamics

Postdoctoral Scholar available in the Manning Research lab at the interface between biophysics, soft matter, and developmental biology. The successful candidate will work closely with experimental collaborators studying model systems for morphogenesis, such as zebrafish and chick, with applications in understanding origins of several congenital diseases. The work will be both theoretical and computational, focused on developing simulations to model cell and developmental processes and develop theories to characterize their emergent behavior, including collective cell motion, tissue rigidity, morphology changes, and collective cell fate decisions. There will be substantial opportunities to develop interdisciplinary skills working on a team with biologists and helping with experimental image and data analysis, as well as other opportunities for growth, including support for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, presenting at conferences, and writing manuscripts and grant proposals (if desired). Postdocs will be part of a vibrant community of scholars, as the Physics Department at Syracuse University is home to a large number of world-renowned soft matter and biophysics faculty, and the BioInspired Institute integrates this expertise with an active and interdisciplinary community of biologists and engineers at Syracuse University and Upstate Medical School.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biophysics, soft matter, or a related field. Candidates should have expertise in developing and analyzing computer simulations, and ideally will also have expertise in characterizing collective behavior in materials or biological systems.

Experience in soft condensed matter and/or mechanical metamaterials. Strong research skills and experience in experimental design and data analysis. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities include: performing computational and theoretical research in biophysics related to ongoing collaborative experiments, mentoring graduate students and other trainees on the team (e.g. undergraduate or high school students), writing manuscripts describing research, presenting research at conferences, attending lab meetings and activities.