PhD position

We are searching for a highly motivated candidate in the following position:

PhD Student (m/f/d), Computational Self-Assembly of Nanomaterials

The successful applicant will join the interdisciplinary Self-Organization Processes (SOP) research group at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Members of the research group currently work on nanomaterials design, crystallization processes, colloidal soft matter, computational statistical mechanics, and computational geometry.

This PhD project aims at understanding the role of strain accumulation affected by defects, lattice mismatch, and geometric frustration in experiments of our collaborators in Germany and USA. The research will provide quantitative insights into thermodynamic and kinetic factors of the growth of nanocrystals into determined shapes. Research techniques involve particle-based methods (molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo), and coarse-grained modeling. New simulation algorithms will be applied and developed.

Qualified PhD applicants must have a Master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field. Experience in simulation and computer programming (C/C++, Python) is desirable. An interest in mathematics and physical sciences is required.

FAU offers the opportunity to work in an outstanding research university with innovative academic structures. Salary is in accordance with the German public service salary scale and the accordant social benefits. The position is available starting February 2024. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2023 and continue until the position filled.

For further information, please see our webpage: http://engellab.de and contact Dr. Carlos Bassani and Prof. Michael Engel.

To apply, send your CV, cover letter, one-page summary of your Master’s or PhD thesis, certificates, and two references (people who may be contacted, specify the relation to you) via email to: .

Postdoc position

If there are currently no advertised positions and you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Prof. Michael Engel stating your research interests and describe briefly how they are related to work in our group.

Sometimes there are funds available on short notice. We also offer assistance for applications to DAAD scholarships or a Humboldt Research Fellowship for highly qualified and motivated foreign graduates.

Master thesis / Bachelor thesis / Miniproject

We are a team of engineers and scientists working in the Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Films (IZNF) and are looking forward to you joining our research efforts!

Various projects are available (e.g. ligand-shell nanocrystals, colloids under confinement, host-guest crystal growth, and actively driven granular matter). Depending on the topic, you will learn basics of numerical modeling and simulation of particulate and molecular system, data analysis, phase diagram calculation, high-performance computing, and gain insight into aspects of data science and machine learning. Many projects involve experimental collaborators.

For information please send an email to or contact me in an informal manner.