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Markus Deserno

@markusdeserno.bsky.social

1.3K followers 170 following 900 posts

Theoretical and computational biophysicist at Carnegie Mellon University. Loves lipid membranes, music, and art. (he/him) 🇩🇪🇺🇸

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 15d

I am super excited to announce that we have a tenure-track faculty position in biophysics open in the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon! 🧪

Interfolio link: apply.interfolio.com/174360

PLEASE, share widely across the blue skies!

Let me briefly explain what we're looking for:

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Tenure-track Position in Biophysics at Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Physics

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Open Date: Sep 19, 2025

Description
The Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in biophysics. The appointment is intended to be at the Assistant Professor level, but exceptional candidates at a higher level may also be considered. We seek outstanding candidates with a strong record in cellular and subcellular biophysics. Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to, uncovering how key characteristics of living systems arise from the interplay between supramolecular cellular structures, how the emergent cellular circuitry defines goals and enables robust decision making, and how metabolic resources are allocated. This encompasses understanding of how information is learned, stored, transduced, and processed across subcellular structures. Applicants with theoretical, data science, or experimental backgrounds within biological physics are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will strengthen and extend research programs of current biophysics faculty in the Department of Physics and collaborate with broader life science activities across many departments at CMU and the wider Pittsburgh area.

More details on Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/174360

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 6h

We clearly need blackboard advocacy groups.

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 6h

They are in mine. 🤷🏼‍♂️
And I got all the Hagoromo to use them properly! 😉

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 10h

It’s not like they’re illegal to buy. 😉

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 1d

Let’s not.

Reposted by Markus Deserno

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 2d

Heads up, Yinzers...

Ryan Deto @ryandeto.bsky.social · 2d

NEW - The feds are seeking Pittsburgh office space for an unspecified law enforcement agency expansion in the region. Reporting from WaPo and NPR indicate that ICE is behind the request as part of a 10,000 officer nationwide expansion www.axios.com/local/pittsb...

Feds quietly plan Pittsburgh office for unspecified law enforcement

NPR and the Washington Post both reported last month that the office space request is being made on behalf of ICE.

www.axios.com

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 1d

I like the ones that can be quickly solved by “one weird trick”.

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 1d

OK now you’re just making stuff up.

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 2d

For a split second I thought it’s Europe at night. 😂

Congrats!!! 🎉

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 2d

Bromantic throuples are so wholesome. 😇

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 3d

With a 10-foot seat post?

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 3d

Aah, that word. “Older.” It burns. 🥲

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 3d

To me, this story always had a different lesson: he showed that insects clearly don’t fly the way we thought they do. They don’t fly like planes, as most birds do, exploiting aerodynamic lift. Their flight is much more akin to helicopters, blowing air down.

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 3d

Enshittification?

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 3d

I want to congratulate the chemistry community that this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to profoundly chemical chemists! 👏

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 4d

A very beautiful set of notes on Brownian dynamics of fluid membranes! I’m a big fan of creating clean notes to exorcise one’s own demons of incomprehension. You will not be disappointed to have your own understanding deepened! 👍 🧪

Sam Foley @physfoley.bsky.social · 4d

I wrote up some notes on Brownian dynamics of (nearly flat) Helfrich membranes to help myself learn, and decided to post them publicly in case anyone else finds them helpful. Starting from Stokes equations and going through stochastic simulation in Fourier space.

www.samuelfoley.com/misc/

Misc - Sam Foley

www.samuelfoley.com

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 4d

Apparently, Eric Betzig also was incredulous when he learned what they gave him the prize for.

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 4d

😳

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 4d

Oh no! Oh mg god! I didn’t know. This is so very sad. My condolences to his family, friends, and his entire group at the MPI for the Science of Light.

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 5d

Never skip lunch because you’re “busy.”

(I live in a country where people don’t really “believe” in lunch and want to use the time “productively” for “lunch meetings.” I very regularly scold them for that!)

Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 5d

Power move: put some extra items on your to-do list such as:

* put shoes on
* eat lunch
* brush teeth
* go to bathroom

You feel enormously accomplished striking them off your list, especially if you use fancy scheduling software that keeps track of how much per day you check off! 💪

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Reposted by Markus Deserno

KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · 6d

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 6d

It was a pleasure visiting you and speaking to so many great people in Barcelona! A big thanks to @torres-sanchez.bsky.social for inviting me! Had a great visit! 👍💪🙏

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 6d

André Delambre thought so, too.

Reposted by Markus Deserno

Kirk Amundson @kirkamundson.bsky.social · 7d

UMass Amherst Biology is recruiting a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Plant Physiology. Deadline Nov 1. Please spread the word and apply!

careers.massachusetts.edu/mob/en-us/jo...

Assistant Professor - Plant Physiology

The Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of Plant Physiology. The successful can...

careers.massachusetts.edu

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Markus Deserno @markusdeserno.bsky.social · 7d

Then please explain the New York Times.