Vacancy

PhD position in Animate matter

Vacancy number: 16061
Job type
External/ internal: External
Location: Leiden
Placed on: 9 October 2025
Closing date: 31 December 2025 83 more days to apply

Teaser Text

We invite applications for a PhD/PD position on ANIMATE MATTER funded by the consortium “Emergence at all Scales”.

The aim of this project is to unravel the principles underlying the emergence of life by creating a new class of materials that we call animate materials – materials that possess life-like abilities such as motion, shape-morphing, and intelligent behaviour. This cutting-edge project will identify the general design principles to achieve these traits and develop and study experimental realization at the macroscopic and microscopic length scale. The PhD position will work under supervision of Prof. Martin van Hecke and Prof. Daniela Kraft, whose groups are embedded in the Smart Living Active Matter Center at the physics department of Leiden University (link: https://slam-leiden.nl/Slam/Main/). We offer a collaborative and inspiring environment, as well as state-of-the-art equipment.

What you will do

The PhD project is part of the Dutch national consortium on “Emergence at all Scales” (EAAS), which is the national flag-carrier of the NWA route 2 game changer Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (d-iep.org). EAAS combines 8 Dutch and 1 Ukrainian university as well as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in an interdisciplinary and collaborative endeavour aimed at understanding emergent phenomena across scales, combining multiple fields including physics, mathematics, astronomy, history & philosophy of science, and social science. Its approach to societal engagement throughout the project’s 5-year lifetime is equally interdisciplinary, with a wide variety of activities ranging from art/science programmes, large scale science festivals, citizen science and educational initiatives at various levels. EAAS is hiring a total of 20 PhD/postdoc scientists to join the team, and our project/group leaders share the ambition of gender parity in hires across EAAS.

If selected for this position you are expected to participate in the various scientific activities, meetings and workshops of the EAAS consortium, to form interdisciplinary collaborations across fields and geographical locations within the Netherlands, and to acquire skills by active participation in science communication activities, interacting with public audiences and taking part in a pilot programme where experience can be acquired in high school science teaching.

The ideal candidate for this position has a background in physics and is committed to conducting independent and original scientific research. The results of this research will be reported in scientific publications and communicated through conference presentations. PhD students are furthermore expected to contribute 10% of their time to teaching activities, such as supervision of exercise classes and research projects of BSc and MSc students.

Where you will work

180 staff members and approximately 30 senior scientists. Our research spans a wide range of topics, from cosmology to quantum physics and from economic networks to the physics behind DNA. There is extensive collaboration with other disciplines both within and beyond the university, as well as with industry partners. Curiosity is what unites everyone within the institute. Together, we push the boundaries of knowledge, provide inspiring education, and connect science with society.

Research within the Faculty of Science covers disciplines ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. This research is carried out within eight institutes, which also offer eight bachelor's and fifteen master's programs. In recent years, the faculty has experienced significant growth and now has more than 2,300 staff members and approximately 5,700 students. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry come together. Working at our faculty means being part of a dynamic, international environment where both staff and students are driven by curiosity—not only to expand fundamental knowledge for the sake of science but also to contribute to solving the major societal challenges of tomorrow.

What you bring

Requirements:

A (prospective) MSc or PhD degree in Physics (or an equivalent thereof)
Good communication skills in English
Ability to work efficiently, both independently as well as in a team

Previous experience in the fields of soft matter, metamaterials, quantitative image analysis and programming experience with Python are beneficial but not required.

We particularly encourage women and candidates from other groups which are currently under-represented in academic posts.

The preferred starting date is January 2026.

Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Applications

Applications should include

Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
Transcript of grades from BSc and MSc studies
Short motivation letter
Name and email address of two professional references

For further information you can contact Marissa van Steijn, steijn@physics.leidenuniv.nl. Applications sent directly to this email address cannot be considered.

What we offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

An employment contract for the duration of one year with a view to permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
A salary between €3059 - €3881 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What we find important

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Want to apply or find out more?

If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Marissa van Steijn, Management assistent, at steijn@physics.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 12/31/2025; You will receive a response to your application no later than two weeks after the vacancy closing date.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
We ensure that our lecturers have a good level of English competency. Lectures who teach subjects in English have a minimum level of C1 for their English proficiency. We also believe it is important for international staff to have a good level of Dutch: they are expected to have at least C1 level of Dutch proficiency. Other staff who have the prospect of a permanent position are expected to have at least a passive understanding of Dutch.
Leiden University expects faculty members to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the new employee does not yet hold this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain it within two years.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid

Apply now