PhD Student Position in Theoretical Physics

PhD Student Position in Theoretical Physics at Integrated Science Lab (IceLab) We are looking for an exceptional PhD student to join our interdisciplinary group at the newly started Integrated Science Lab, where we work on solving problems of the life sciences using tools from physics, mathematics, and computer science.Hosted by the Department of Physics at Umeå University, this is a full-time position over a period of four years, during which an opportunity for part-time teaching may be offered.The expected start date is September 1, 2009.The PhD student will contribute to the ongoing project "Mapping and modelling of information flow in living systems," which seeks to answer the question: How do information, communication, and structure co-evolve in living systems?We are interested in, for example, the interactions between bacteria and their environments on an evolutionary timescale, the effects human interactions have on communication and the spreading of diseases across social networks, and how these structures change over time.To approach these problems, we work with many different techniques.For example, to comprehend the flow of information through the complex structure of living systems, we develop information-theoretic clustering tools.To better understand how the structure affects communication conditions and, vice versa, how ongoing communication affects the structure, we take a modelling approach and simulate the different systems.To connect our theory to real-life observations and exchange knowledge with experts outside our own field, we collaborate with physicists, biologists, and sociologists both nationally and internationally.For this project, the PhD student is expected to do analytical and computational work and develop models and tools to study the role of information in living systems.The successful candidate should have excellent programming skills and experience in C, C++, Java, Matlab, Perl, and/or Python.Moreover, the candidate should have a strong record in theoretical physics and/or computer science.Prerequisites include either (i) 240 ECTS credits (swe.Högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level) in physics or similar relevant field, or (ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (swe.Poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence.The application should include a description of past research accomplishments, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information of references.Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.Documents sent by mail should be sent in three copies.