What our group is interested in?

Our theory group “Mesoscopic Physics of Life (MPoL)” aims to unravel the physical principles involved in the spatial and temporal organization of living cells and prebiotic assemblies at the origin of life. In particular, as a team, we want to identify and understand the key mechanisms underlying the assembly, positioning, and aging of organelles, and how protocells can form, evolve and get selected via a Darwinian-like evolution. A central challenge in all our research projects is to identify the minimal physical ingredients that govern the complex and rich behavior of such non-equilibrium systems. This challenge is related to a fundamental question when physics meets biology: In which respects does a living system deviate from the behavior that we know for thermal equilibrium systems? To tackle this question, we use concepts from the field of phase transitions, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, and non-linear dynamics, but also develop novel theoretical approaches to describe these non-equilibrium systems.

What do we offer?

Our group “Mesoscopic Physics of Life (MPoL)” is based at the University of Augsburg, in the Greater Munich Area, Bavaria, Germany. We closely collaborate with experimental groups from biology, chemistry, and experimental physics. The collaborative and interdisciplinary environment of the Greater Munich Area with other universities such as the LMU, TUM, and several Max-Planck Institutes, offers you the opportunity to work at the interface between biology, chemistry, computational science, and theoretical physics. You will be able to investigate edge science questions in the field of intracellular organization and tackle unsolved conundra on the origin of life. Feel free to contact us if you find our research fascinating and are interested to apply to our group.

What are the conditions to apply?

You can join our group as a Ph.D. student or postdoc. Candidates are expected to have a strong background in theoretical physics or applied mathematics, in particular in soft matter physics, biophysics, or condensed matter physics. Postdocs should hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Biological Physics, or Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field and are expected to have a strong track record of research.

What are the steps to apply?

To apply please send an inquiry about the research conducted in our group “Mesoscopic Physics of Life (MPoL)” to apply-to-mpol@physik.uni-augsburg.de; please use as subject: "Application to group MPoL”. Please attach your CV and at least two names of scientists from whom you plan to request reference letters. Moreover, tell us in a few sentences why you find some of our research topics interesting and why you would like to join us. We can then meet via Zoom or in-person to discuss potential research projects.