Postdoctoral Researcher — Theoretical Biophysics of Brain Organoids

Dear Colleagues Interested in Brain Organoids,

The J. M. Schwarz Theory Group develops theoretical approaches to emergent phenomena in living and nonliving matter, including rigidity transitions, shape instabilities, physical learning, learning in biological systems with and without brains, and multiscale mechanics spanning chromatin, cells, tissues, and organoids.

We are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to develop theoretical models describing the interplay between neuronal activity and metabolic activity in sleep–wake transitions in brain organoids. This project is part of a broader effort to develop a quantitative physics of learning across biological scales, connecting chromatin, cells, tissues, and brain organoids through common theoretical principles.

Candidates with backgrounds in soft matter physics, statistical physics, biological physics, computational neuroscience, complex systems, machine learning for physical systems, applied mathematics, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Please visit jmschwarztheorygroup.org to learn more about the group's research, including questions such as Can sand learn? and How do cancer cell collectives learn to remodel their extracellular matrix to enable breakout? The successful candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate with faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers in the Syracuse Soft and Biological Matter Group, as well as with national and international collaborators.

The position is expected to begin in September 2026 and is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.