Theory and Simulation of Soft Matter, Hydrodynamics, and Biophysics Joost de Graaf

This course explores the principles and applications of thermodynamics and statistical physics, emphasizing the description of classical many-body systems and touching upon a few simple quantum gasses. We cover the following topics: phase transitions (gas-liquid condensation, magnetic ordering, crystallization, phase separation, and liquid-crystalline order), critical phenomena (exponents, divergent length scales, and fluctuations), and the structure and thermodynamic properties of non-ideal gasses, classical fluids, and liquid crystals. The theoretical framework comprises mean-field theory, a simple renormalization group of spin systems, Landau theory for first- and second-order phase transitions, nucleation theory, the virial expansion for non-ideal atomic gasses, and Onsager theory for anisotropic particles. In addition, the formal relationship of the various thermodynamic potentials (energy, free energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and grand potential) are related to each other via Legendre transformations; universal thermodynamic identities are also derived.

The notes were originally put together by R. van Roij and later extended and reworked by L. Filion. I subsequently modified these to account for changes in the content and structure of the course. This includes the repartitioning of material between academic years 2021-22 and 2022-23 to accommodate the topic of ideal quantum gases. If you are interested in self-studying the material, I have provided the course schedule of 2024.

Since 2022, I have worked toward improving PhD wellbeing within the Physics department. Note that this role is not that of a Confidential Advisor. Instead, I help resolve small issues that require local knowledge and short lines between PhD candidates and their supervisors. For example, I can encourage a PhD supervisor to finish giving feedback on handed-in thesis chapters or explain boundary conditions to the travel flexibility offered by your grant. I can also provide advice on how to discuss certain work-related topics with your supervisor and on how to structure your career.

People sometimes ask me why anyone would want to do such a job, given that it leads to confrontation with the lesser aspects of academia. As a researcher that has been active in (bio)physics for over a decade, I have seen too many instances where PhDs and Postdocs were negatively affected by their supervisor's behavior, be that well intended or not. On the one hand, this may be the result of simple misunderstandings on how scientific research and science financing work, as well as on what is important for making a career. That is, the reality of academic life compared to the idealized image that some junior researchers may have. Or it could be simply something that is unpleasant, but understandable, such as difficult life circumstances for either the supervisor or PhD. On the other hand, in my own experience, the reasons for bad experiences in research can be substantially more sinister. For example, I have seen employees (i) who were systematically degraded, excluded, or evaluated far below their capacities, because of their gender, descent, or outlook in life; (ii) have their personal wellbeing ignored, when there were clear indicators of illness; (iii) manipulated into publishing / presenting patently false results (because "who cares if it is wrong, as long as you get more citations"); (iv) forced to steal or commit fraud, thereby harming other researcher's careers; (v) asked to choose between leaving an institute or becoming the lead's girlfriend; (vi) and threatened with violence for failing to complete a task; among others.

To offset all the negativity that has become so prevalent in the academic sector, though thankfully it typically centers around only a few individuals, I wanted to give something back in terms of helping young researchers make more out of their research careers. The PhD counselor role allows me to do that at the lower end of the spectrum, while more independent people can help with serious issues, like the ones I have highlighted above.