Joining as a graduate student:

We welcome students from myriad PhD programs at UIUC, including Physics, Biophysics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, and Engineering. Please note that you must already be admitted to UIUC to join our lab.

A background in biology is unnecessary. Far more important are a passion for discovery, commitment to working hard—especially when roadblocks appear—perseverance, logical and quantitative thinking, collegiality, and a willingness to try new approaches.

Biological physics (quantitative biology) simply means we perform experiments on living systems that yield quantitative data rather than yes/no results. We then look for trends between different measurements and apply math and physical principles to uncover fundamental behaviors of cells and organisms. During your time in our lab, you’ll learn by doing—just like every trainee who came in with no background and succeeded. Learning something new is what grad school is for; don’t let your undergraduate experience dictate the rest of your life.

If you’re interested, feel free to contact Hyun.

Postdoctoral position:

We welcome applicants with a PhD in physics, biophysics, systems biology, or any other quantitative field. Theoreticians who have never done experiments and experimentalists who have never done mathematical modeling are equally encouraged to apply. Our lab provides opportunities to learn both experimental techniques and modeling without prior experience—just as our past trainees succeeded on projects outside their original backgrounds. We look for collegial, open-minded individuals who can see the big picture, lead projects independently, and support others in the lab. If you’re interested, feel free to contact Hyun with your CV and a brief explanation of why you'd like to join our lab.

Postgrad Research Associate:

If you're a recent college graduate looking to gain research experience before applying to graduate programs, feel free to contact Hyun with your CV and a brief explanation of why you'd like to join our lab and what kind of experience you're hoping to gain.