At the Professorship of Solid Mechanics (SMEC) in the Institute for Building Materials at ETH Zurich, research focuses on understanding how materials deform, degrade, break, and ultimately fail. The team combines numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses to link microscopic processes with macroscopic behavior in engineering and natural systems, aiming to develop predictive tools for mechanical failure. The group is highly interdisciplinary and international, working across topics such as mechanics of particle systems, architected materials, fragility in collagen, mechanics of earthquakes, fracture of soft materials, and modeling failure in multiphysical processes.
The position offers a stimulating environment for scientific growth and collaboration, investigating how microscopic frictional interactions govern the macroscopic behavior of dense particle suspensions.
Tasks
- Conduct computational and theoretical investigations of how particle-scale frictional interactions govern the macroscopic flow response of concentrated suspensions.
- Connect particle-scale mechanics, including particle geometry and frictional interactions, with the collective and macroscopic response of the suspension using physics-based models.
- Implement and use particle-based simulation methods, including coarse-grained molecular dynamics.
- Perform rigorous verification and validation using datasets provided by collaborators.
- Analyze simulation results to identify physical mechanisms controlling suspension response.
- Collaborate closely with experimental researchers within the project, providing modeling insights and helping to interpret experimental observations.
Requirements
- Hold an MSc degree in mechanics, physics, (civil, mechanical, aerospace, or bio-) engineering, material science, or a related discipline.
- Background in mechanics, applied physics, computational mechanics, scientific computing, or a related field.
- Foundation in areas such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, or numerical modeling is particularly relevant.
- Experience implementing scientific code and assessing computational results through validation, verification, and quantitative comparison with reference data.
- Prior programming experience in Python and use of version control.
- Curious, self-motivated, and interested in using modeling and quantitative reasoning to answer mechanics and physics questions.
- Enjoy connecting computational work with experiments and collaborating closely with experimentalists.
- Experience with colloidal suspensions, rheology, or coarse-grained molecular dynamics is an advantage but not required; project-specific methods and concepts can be learned during doctoral studies.
- Fluent in English (oral and written).
- Enjoy working in a team, possess necessary social skills and communication abilities, and contribute proactively to a positive group atmosphere.
Benefits
- Join a dynamic, international, and supportive research group that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration.
- ETH Zurich supports professional development and actively contributes to positive change in society.
- Commitment to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
- Benefits include public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.
- Inclusive culture promoting equality of opportunity, diversity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all staff and students.
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Über uns
Das Team
The research group is highly interdisciplinary and international, bringing together backgrounds in materials science, mechanics, and applied physics. Collaboration with partners from the ETH Department of Materials and experimental researchers is integral to the project.