Graduate Student Research Opportunity in Computational Liquid Crystal Dynamics
Project Title: Simulations of Liquid Crystal Colloids: Dynamics, Microstructure, and Rheology
Opportunity Overview:
Join the research team led by Dr. Ubaldo M. Córdova-Figueroa, Professor of Chemical Engineering at UPRM, and contribute to a cutting-edge project focused on simulating the dynamics, microstructure, and rheology of liquid crystal colloids within the soft matter field. This project, supported by the NSF-funded UPR-UW PREM: Center for Advancing Research and Training for STEM Success, utilizes an advanced Brownian Dynamics (BD) algorithm to simulate interactions of colloidal ellipsoids through the Gay-Berne potential. The research aims to deepen our understanding of the complex behavior of colloidal particles in liquid crystal phases, with potential applications in medicine, biology, and microfluidics. As part of the soft matter community, students will engage in interdisciplinary research with significant technological and scientific impact.
What You Will Gain:
Stipend and Funding: Receive a competitive stipend, including tuition and fees, to support your research and academic growth.
Hands-On Experience: Engage in theoretical and computational studies of liquid crystal and colloidal science, focusing on advanced BD simulations.
Skill Development: Develop expertise in high-performance computing (HPC), particularly in parallelizing code with the Message Passing Interface (MPI) and utilizing GPU acceleration.
Collaborative Research: Work closely with experimentalists and experts, providing theoretical insights that bridge computational and empirical research.
Mentoring and Networking: Benefit from mentoring by Dr. Córdova-Figueroa and collaborate with experts from the PREM Center.
Professional Development: Gain opportunities to publish your research in peer-reviewed journals and present your findings at national and international conferences, enhancing your academic and professional profile.
PREM Engagement: Participate in all activities related to the UPR-UW PREM, including workshops, seminars, and community events designed to advance STEM success and foster cross-cultural collaborations.
What We’re Looking For:
Academic Background: Currently enrolled or accepted graduate students in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields at UPRM.
Technical Skills: Strong communication and mathematical abilities, with a keen interest in computational research and the soft matter field. Experience or willingness to learn programming in multiple computing languages is essential.
Research Focus: A deep interest in the rheology of liquid crystal composites, particularly the interaction of colloidal particles in anisotropic fluids, within the broader context of soft matter science.
Computational Experience: Ability to work with HPC facilities and experience or willingness to learn about MPI and GPU acceleration.
Soft Matter Enthusiasm: A genuine passion for the soft matter field and its interdisciplinary applications.
Application Process:
We are currently selecting top candidates. Interested students are encouraged to learn more about Dr. Córdova-Figueroa’s research by visiting https://www.ucfcolloids.org.
For more information and to apply, please contact Dr. Ubaldo M. Córdova-Figueroa at ubaldom.cordova@upr.edu.
