Beyond the extensive/contractile dichotomy

Active nematic models are often used to model collective dynamics of cells in soft confluent tissues and epithelial monolayers. These theories typically assume that tissues are composed of cells with an immutable shape and that are either contractile (pulling other cells in along their elongation axis) or extensile (pushing outward). Recent work, however, has pointed to the importance of terms generically ignored for explaining why this dichotomy is unable to account for the behaviour of active nematic systems and the nature of active stress is not well established experimentally. To address this discrepancy, we will extend a combination of agent-based models of deformable cells and continuum theories that account for dynamic cell shape that is distinct from active stresses.

 

The position is part of the European Doctoral Network "A Coherent Analysis Framework for Emergence in Biological Systems" (CAFE-BIO) and a collaboration with Hugues Chaté at CEA Saclay. More information and the application portal can be found at https://dev2f5e31.cafe-bio.org/projects/beyond-the-extensile-contractile-dichotomy-in-active-nematics.

 

The application closing date is 1 April 2026. Applications should be submitted through the website, and any informal enquiries should be directed to my email.

Contrat doctoral

Tyler Shendruk is a computational physicist who models flowing, soft matter and biophysical systems in the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh. 

His group is composed of physicists and biologists who apply numerical models to understanding biological material systems.

Theoretical and Computational Studies of Hydrodynamics-based Separation of Particles and Polymers in Microfluidic Channels

Canada

University of Ottawa

Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa

We are seeking creative students who enjoy computational physics.