The International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM²) at Hiroshima University is seeking Postdoctoral Fellows in the fields of Soft Matter, Chemical & Biological Systems. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a world-class interdisciplinary team pushing the boundaries of research in topology, chirality with an emphasis on sustainability.

Research Areas & Focus

We are hiring candidates who have an interest in fusion research with expertise in Soft & Active Matter, Supramolecular Chemistry, Earth & Planetary Sciences or Biophysics.  Topics of interest include:

• Momentum and synthetic space topology research and its applications to soft matter, biological, earth & planetary and other systems.

• Experimental or theoretical research on topological solitons and knotted defects in chiral colloids and liquid crystals.

• Interdisciplinary active matter research involving chirality and topology.

• Research on topological and chiral meta-materials based on systems such as colloids, vortices, colloidal crystals and artificial spin ice.

• Research on organic synthesis, topological molecules, polymer chemistry, suprapolymers, and supramolecular liquid crystals.

• Materials research on naturally occurring substances on Earth and in space, from the perspective of colloid geochemistry, geophysical fluid dynamics, or multi-scale chirality.

• Experimental or theoretical analyses of knotoid structures in proteins and protein condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation. Candidates seeking positions in experimental research should have a strong foundation in biochemical techniques, including gene manipulation and protein purification.  

• “Cosmology in-laboratory” or “particle/nuclear physics in-laboratory” experimental research in material systems that models physics phenomena related to fields like particle physics and cosmology.

• Research on nonlinear optical imaging systems and optical tweezers techniques for applications in soft, biological active matter systems. 

• Computational simulation or machine learning of soft and biological matter, e.g. Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics and finite element computer simulations.

• Origins of life research involving topology and chirality.  

• Interdisciplinary studies on knotted chiral meta matter, exploring how topology and chirality shape matter across scales, from big to small.

WPI-SKCM² postdocs should have a strong interest in fusion research and should actively collaborate across disciplines, including math, chemistry, biophysics, condensed matter physics, materials science, and others. Postdocs will actively contribute to the knotted chiral meta matter paradigm that probes the fundamental laws of nature at scales from its smallest building blocks to the entire Universe through interdisciplinary studies in topology and chirality.  Read more here.

Mentorship & Collaboration Structure

Postdocs will have three WPI-SKCM² mentors.

• Primary Mentor: PIs eligible to serve as primary mentors in the Soft Matter, Chemical & Biological Systems thrust include Professors Marjolein Dijkstra, Takeharu Haino, Ivan Smalyukh (Director), Hiroshi Sato, Silvia Vignolini, Shinichi Tate and Dr. Danny Hsu

• Second Mentor: A PI from a different thrust to support fusion research. 

• Third Mentor: Any faculty member affiliated with the center.  

At least one mentor would ideally be from outside of Japan, to enable international research exchange, and having more than three mentors is possible.  Information about potential mentors can be found here.

About WPI-SKCM²

As a research center under the Japanese government’s World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), WPI-SKCM² pioneers a new interdisciplinary research paradigm known as "knotted chiral meta matter" (KCM²), which cross-pollinates topology and chirality across disciplines and scales. While our work is rooted in fundamental research, many of WPI-SKCM² efforts aim to advance technologies that address knotty global challenges like growing energy demand and climate change

About the Role, Benefits and Working Environment

4-6 positions are available for highly qualified candidates in the Soft Matter, Chemical & Biological Systems thrust. 

Our Postdoctoral Fellow positions typically run for three years with the potential for a two-year extension based on job performance, funding availability, and ongoing operational needs. 

Each postdoc will have a primary mentor and two co-mentors from different fields and/or countries.  Potential mentors and the corresponding institutions, including Hiroshima University, Tokyo Institute of Science, MIT, RIKEN, Cambridge University, CU-Boulder, and many more, can be found here.

Salaries are competitive, comparable to those at other prestigious international institutions.  Additionally, postdocs are eligible for startup funds to support collaborative research, and funding to travel to conferences and schools organized by WPI-SKCM², as well as to visit international WPI-SKCM² nodes for research collaborations.

As a WPI research center, WPI-SKCM² fosters an international research environment where about 50% of researchers are non-Japanese, with English being the official language. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals worldwide, including women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, or gender identity, or other characteristics.

Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in mathematics; physical, chemical, or biological sciences; engineering; or related fields

• Strong record of academic publishing

• Interest in WPI-SKCM² fusion research that contributes to sustainability

• Proficiency in English

Required documents

• Cover letter (including the name(s) of the mentors you wish to work with according to the Mentor & Collaboration Structure listed above.  See list here)

• Curriculum vitae (including email address and citizenship) 

• A list of publications 

• A list of 3 references with contact information (please include email and phone information)

All application documents should be uploaded via our main AcademicJobsOnline.org posting that collects applications for all available postdoctoral positions: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27708

(registration required)

Application Review, Deadline & Contact

The positions are screened regularly and filled on a rolling basis, but for full consideration for spring 2025, candidates should apply before March 15, 2025.

Personal information obtained from application documents will not be used or provided to any third party for purposes other than the necessary procedures related to personnel affairs, salary, and welfare.

Email inquiries regarding the application process may be directed to chiral_at_office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp.