Biophysics and the physics of soft matter
The Department of Physics and Astronomy focuses on soft condensed matter and biological physics research, with diverse programs such as biomolecule studies, drug delivery, cell migration and theoretical modelling. Graduate and postdoctoral students can gain interdisciplinary training and work on unique projects.
Learn more
Soft condensed matter and biological physics are the most rapidly growing areas of physics and strategic research priorities in the department. Our current research programs exemplify the diversity that makes this field so exciting. Interests include studies of large biomolecules using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and its pivotal role in proteomics, ultrasonic spectroscopy of soft matter and biomaterials with applications to food science, investigating new modalities for drug delivery with magnetic nanoparticles, experimental and modelling studies of cell migration and trafficking in complex guiding environments, understanding the electronic properties of DNA with a view to future applications in nanoscale bio-electronics, and developing theoretical models of polymers and lipids.
There are excellent research opportunities among the groups for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We offer unique interdisciplinary training and exciting research projects ranging from theoretical modelling to instrumentation development, and from lab-on-chip R&D to wet-bench and microscopy-based cell studies.