Yao Li

Yao Li

Associate Professor
Nankai University

Our research focuses on the statistical physics of soft and living matter, using theoretical and computational approaches.

Current interests include, but are not limited to:

  1. Geometric and topological phenomena: topological defects, confinements, knots, bio-membranes, colloids, liquid crystals
  2. Non-equilibrium statistical physics: active matter, dynamics of macromolecules and biomacromolecules

🔥 News

🔥 Open Positions

We seek to appoint 1–2 postdoctoral researchers to investigate the statistical physics of soft and living matter. Candidates with prior experience in Monte Carlo methods, molecular dynamics simulations, and high-performance computing tools (e.g., LAMMPS, GROMACS) are particularly encouraged to apply. Research directions may align with our ongoing projects or be developed based on mutual agreement. Postdoctoral positions are initially for two-year with the option to extend for an additional year. We offer a competitive salary package.

We invite applications for 1–2 Ph.D. positions. We welcome self-motivated candidates from all backgrounds, including physics, chemistry, biology, and related fields. International applicants (non-Chinese citizens) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their research interests and background, along with a current CV, to liyao@nankai.edu.cn

😀 Peoples



💡Highlighted Publications

NatureCommun2025
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  • Li, Y.; Wang, Y.; Geng, Y.; Liu, W.; Ye, F.; Chen, J. Z. Y. Hierarchical Ground-State Crystals Underlying Hertzian Quasicrystals. Nat. Commun. 2025, 16 (1), 11269. [HTML]
NanoLett2025
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  • Xie, H.; Liu, W.; Lu, Z.; Chen, J. Z. Y.; Li, Y. Competing Hexagonal and Square Lattices on a Spherical Surface. Nano Lett. 2025, 25 (3), 1193–1198. [HTML]
Newton2026
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  • Du, Y.; Cao, Y.; Liu, W.; Li, Y. Collective Behavior of the Non-Reciprocal Vision Cone XY Lattice-Gas Model. Newton 2026, 2, 100291. [HTML]
PRL2019
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  • Li, Y.; ten Wolde, P. R. Shape Transformations of Vesicles Induced by Swim Pressure. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2019, 123 (14), 148003. [HTML]

📝 Full Publications

(18) Yuan, Z; Li, Y. Rounded hard squares confined in a circle. Soft Matter 2026 (Accepted) [HTML]

(17) Du, Y.; Cao, Y.; Liu, W.; Li, Y. Collective Behavior of the Non-Reciprocal Vision Cone XY Lattice-Gas Model. Newton 2026, 2, 100291. [HTML]

(16) He, S.; Liu, R.; Bao, X.; Pang, J.; Zhang, X.; Liu, Y.; Lin, W.; Liu, J.; Li, T.; Li, Y.; Li, Y.; Guo, X. Aptamer Conformation Sensing in Nanopore for On-Site Quantitative Detection of Cadmium Ions at Nanomolar Concentrations. Anal. Chim. Acta 2026, 1384, 344964. [HTML]

(15) Liu, J.; Xiong, L.; Hu, Y.; Wang, Z.; Dai, J.; Li, T.; Guo, X.; Liu, R.; Yu, Z.; Li, Y.; Li, Y. Correction to “Probing Structural Variants of Irregular DNA G-Tracts ( N ≤ 2) Using MspA Nanopores.” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2025, 17 (22), 33257–33257. [HTML]

(14) Liu, J.; Xiong, L.; Hu, Y.; Wang, Z.; Dai, J.; Li, T.; Guo, X.; Liu, R.; Yu, Z.; Li, Y.; Li, Y. Probing Structural Variants of Irregular DNA G-Tracts ( N ≤ 2) Using MspA Nanopores. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2025, 17 (9), 13415–13426. [HTML]

(13) Xie, H.; Liu, W.; Lu, Z.; Chen, J. Z. Y.; Li, Y. Competing Hexagonal and Square Lattices on a Spherical Surface. Nano Lett. 2025, 25 (3), 1193–1198. [HTML]

(12) Xie, H.; Li, Y.; Chen, J. Z. Y. Filling Spherical Surfaces by Mixed Triangle and Square Tiles. Phys. Rev. E 2025, 111 (4), 045408. [HTML]

(11) Li, Y.; Wang, Y.; Geng, Y.; Liu, W.; Ye, F.; Chen, J. Z. Y. Hierarchical Ground-State Crystals Underlying Hertzian Quasicrystals. Nat. Commun. 2025, 16 (1), 11269. [HTML]

(10) Liu, W.; Xie, H.; Du, Y.; Li, B.; Chen, J. Z. Y.; Li, Y. Transitional Patterns on a Spherical Surface: From Scars to Domain Defects of Mixed Lattices. Soft Matter 2025, 21 (39), 7631–7640. [HTML]

(9) Lu, M.; Cao, Z.; Xiong, L.; Deng, H.; Ma, K.; Liu, N.; Qin, Y.; Chen, S.-B.; Chen, J.; Li, Y.; Liu, Y.; Yu, Z. A Hammerhead Ribozyme Selects Mechanically Stable Conformations for Catalysis against Viral RNA. Commun. Biol. 2025, 8 (1), 165. [HTML]

(8) Li, N.; Li, J.; Qing, L.; Ma, S.; Li, Y.; Li, B. Self-Assembly of Colloids with Competing Interactions Confined in Spheres. Soft Matter 2024, 20 (2), 304–314. [HTML]

(7) Ma, K.; Xiong, L.; Wang, Z.; Hu, X.; Qu, L.; Zhao, X.; Li, Y.; Yu, Z. A DNA Force Circuit for Exploring Protein‐Protein Interactions at the Single‐Molecule Level. Chinese J. Chem. 2024, 42 (13), 1456–1464. [HTML]

(6) Wu, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, Z.; Yin, Y.; Jiang, R.; Li, Y.; Li, B. Nanospheres with Patches Arranged in Polyhedrons from Self-Assembly of Solution-State Diblock Copolymers under Spherical Confinement. Macromolecules 2023, 56 (1), 335–348. [HTML]

(5) Li, Y.; ten Wolde, P. R. Shape Transformations of Vesicles Induced by Swim Pressure. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2019, 123 (14), 148003. [HTML]

(4) Miao, H.; Li, Y.; Li, S.; Xu, H.-G.; Ma, H.-R. Isotropic-Nematic Transition of Hard Ellipsoid Fluids. Chinese Phys. Lett. 2015, 32 (2), 026401. [HTML]

(3) Miao, H.; Li, Y.; Ma, H. Depletion Interaction between Two Ellipsoids. J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 140 (15), 154904. [HTML]

(2) Li, Y.; Miao, H.; Ma, H.; Chen, J. Z. Y. Defect-Free States and Disclinations in Toroidal Nematics. RSC Adv. 2014, 4 (52), 27471. [HTML]

(1) Li, Y.; Miao, H.; Ma, H.; Chen, J. Z. Y. Topological Defects of Tetratic Liquid-Crystal Order on a Soft Spherical Surface. Soft Matter 2013, 9 (48), 11461. [HTML]

🎖 Honors and Awards

📖 Educations

  • 2009 - 2014, Tsinghua University, Ph.D. of Physics
  • 2005 - 2009, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Bachelor of Applied Physics

Professional Appointments

  • 2021-Present Nankai Universtiy, Associate Professor
  • 2020-2021 Università della Svizzera italiana(USI), Researcher
  • 2018-2020 TU Delft, Netherlands, Postdoc
  • 2014-2018 AMOLF, Netherlands, Postdoc
  • 2014-2014 Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Postdoc
  • 2013-2014 University of Waterloo, Canada, Visiting Researcher

💬 Invited Talks

  • 2025, Soft Matter and Biophysics Seminar, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
  • 2025, Department of Statistics and Center for complex flows and soft matter research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
  • 2025, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
  • 2025, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
  • 2025, School of Physics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
  • 2025, School of Phyiscs, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
  • 2025, School of Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
  • 2025, School of Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
  • 2025, School of Physics, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
  • 2025, National Conference on Complexity (Plenary Lecture), Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
  • 2025, School of Physics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
  • 2024, 13th National Conference on Soft and living matter physics, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
  • 2024, Department of Physics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China