Postdoc Position Opening in the Physics Department, Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology
Starting date: any time from now to June 2008.
Salary range: US$24000-32000/year. Period: 1-3 years.
Research topics: 1. Video Microscopy Investigation of Phase Behavior in
Temperature-Sensitive Colloids. 2. Geometrical Frustration in Model
Systems.
http://www.phys.ust.hk/yilong/
We use digital video microscopy to study microscopic details of melting
and nucleation of colloidal crystals. The diameter of our novel colloidal
spheres (i.e. “big atoms”) can be tuned by temperature. Our collaborators
have studied the melting behavior of polycrystals with these novel spheres
(Cover of Science 309, p1207, 2005). The next step is to study the melting
behaviors of single 3D crystals, superheated 3D crystals, several-layer
thin crystal films and free-floating crystal blobs. Our preliminary
results showed that these systems exhibited very rich phenomena that are
of fundamental interest. Our collaborator, Prof. Arjun Yodh at the
University of Pennsylvania, will provide the colloids.
Geometrical frustration was mainly investigated in magnetic spin systems.
Recently its static properties were measured in a mesoscopic model system
(Cover of Nature, 439, p303, 2006) with “single-spin resolution”. We will
construct a few different experimental model systems and study the
dynamics and boundary condition effects of geometrical frustration at
“single-spin resolution”.
Candidates with some experience about video microscopy, colloids, optical
tweezer, spin frustration, or computer simulations are preferred. Our
experiments are like MD simulations which measure the trajectories of all
“atoms” or “spins”, thus a candidate with some simulation backgrounds can
also fit the position well.
To apply, please send
1. a curriculum vitae with full list of publications.
2. the names and contacts of the references.
to:
yilong@ust.hk
