Reghan J. Hill

Soft Matter Research

Graduate Student Opportunities

Our research group seeks outstanding and highly motivated students interested in pursuing MSc and PhD studies in soft matter, colloid and interface science, transport phenomena, and advanced materials.

The behaviour of many soft materials is often interpreted using simplified models that assume homogeneous microstructures. While these idealizations can provide useful insight, real materials frequently exhibit significant structural heterogeneity that profoundly influences their mechanical, electrical, and transport properties. Understanding how such complexities arise and how they can be exploited to create materials with desirable functionality is a central theme of our research.

Our research program combines advanced experimentation with rigorous mathematical modelling, computation, and theory to uncover the fundamental physical principles governing complex soft-matter systems. Rather than viewing heterogeneity as an imperfection, we seek to understand how non-uniform microstructures can be harnessed to create new material behaviours and improved performance.

Current research areas include:

Hydrogel foams with tunable mechanical, electrical, and molecular transport properties. We investigate how bubble size, connectivity, and microstructure influence material performance and responsiveness.

Multilayer polyelectrolyte thin films fabricated using a novel robotic spin-coating platform developed in our laboratory. These systems provide unique opportunities to study ion transport, electrochemical response, and emerging phenomena in soft ionic materials.

Hydrogel microspheres and particulate soft materials, including their assembly into compliant solids, hydrated pastes, and composite hydrogel systems. We seek to understand how particle interactions control transitions between solid-like and fluid-like behaviour.

Electrokinetics of colloidal drops and bubbles, where we investigate how interfacial charge dynamics influence electrophoretic behaviour and the interpretation of zeta-potential measurements. This work has implications for applications ranging from advanced materials processing to pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, and environmental technologies.

Students in the group develop expertise in state-of-the-art experimental techniques while gaining experience in theoretical analysis and quantitative modelling. Research projects often involve the design of novel experimental methods and instrumentation, the development of physical models, and the integration of experimental observations with computational and analytical approaches.

Our laboratory provides opportunities to work with a diverse range of commercial and specialized in-house research tools while addressing fundamental scientific questions with broad technological relevance. Applications of our research span areas including biomaterials, drug delivery, bio-implants, energy technologies, separations, and advanced functional materials.

We welcome applications from students with backgrounds in chemical engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, biomedical engineering, applied mathematics, or related disciplines. Successful applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance, intellectual curiosity, quantitative problem-solving skills, strong communication abilities, and an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

We welcome applications from both domestic and international students. Applicants who are eligible for Canadian federal and provincial graduate scholarships (e.g., NSERC and FRQNT) are particularly encouraged to apply, as external scholarship support can significantly enhance research opportunities and funding flexibility.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Prof. Reghan Hill with a curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, and a brief description of their research interests. Please indicate your degree program of interest (MSc or PhD), expected start date, academic background, and any previous research experience.

Exceptional students who are excited by the combination of experimentation, theory, and mathematical modelling, and who wish to contribute to fundamental advances in soft matter and advanced materials research, are encouraged to inquire.

We also welcome inquiries from prospective postdoctoral researchers whose interests align with the group's research program. Because postdoctoral positions are often supported through competitive fellowships and external funding programs, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek independent funding opportunities where eligible. Candidates interested in developing fellowship applications in collaboration with the group are encouraged to make contact well in advance of relevant deadlines.