Postdoctoral Researcher in Modeling damage mechanics in cavitation of soft materials 100%, Zurich, fixed-term
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Modeling damage mechanics in cavitation of soft materials
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
print Drucken
At the Professorship of Solid Mechanics (SMEC) in the Institute for Building Materials at ETH Zurich, we aim to
understand how materials deform, degrade, break, and ultimately fail. Our research is driven by curiosity about the
physical mechanisms that underlie failure and by the ambition to translate this understanding into more reliable and
resilient materials and structures. By combining numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses,
we seek to link microscopic processes with the macroscopic behavior of both engineering and natural systems and develop
predictive tools for mechanical failure.
Our team is highly interdisciplinary and international, bringing together researchers with backgrounds in materials
science, mechanics, and applied physics. We work across a broad range of topics, including the mechanics of particle
systems (colloidal and granular), architected and topologically interlocked materials, the mechanics of fragility in
collagen, the mechanics of earthquakes, fracture of soft materials, and modeling failure in multiphysical processes
such as corrosion-driven degradation of concrete. What unites these efforts is a shared curiosity about why complex
materials fail and a commitment to developing new concepts, experiments, and models that advance our understanding of
failure mechanics.
Project background
To advance our efforts in understanding failure of soft materials, we are seeking a motivated and innovative
Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in computational solid mechanics and fracture/damage modeling. The
Postdoctoral Researcher will help expand our modeling capabilities and drive independent research that complements and
extends our research on the mechanisms governing material failure.
Job description
- You will lead the computational and theoretical investigation of damage evolution associated with cavitation in soft
materials under high-rate loading.
- The work will focus on developing physics-based models that connect behavior across scales, from the polymeric
network and mesoscale structure to the macroscopic continuum, supported by consistent coarse-graining and
homogenization strategies.
- Your responsibilities include formulating constitutive and damage laws that capture cavitation-driven processes,
implementing and verifying robust large deformation solvers, and performing rigorous verification and validation using
datasets provided by collaborators in Prof. Christian Franck’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- The position provides a stimulating environment for scientific growth and collaboration.
Profile
-
You hold a doctoral degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, biomedical engineering, materials science, physics, or a
related field.
-
You have a strong background in computational solid mechanics and nonlinear continuum mechanics, including fracture
and damage modeling under large deformations.
-
You are comfortable implementing and verifying numerical solvers, analyzing stability and convergence, and performing
verification against experimental data.
-
Proficiency in Python, together with good software engineering practices such as version control and testing, is
expected.
-
Experience with high-rate dynamics, cavitation, viscoelastic or poroelastic behavior, or uncertainty quantification is
a plus.
-
You are curious, self-motivated, and enjoy collaborating closely with experimentalists, including partners at the
University of Wisconsin–Madison.
-
Strong communication skills in English, the ability to mentor students, and a commitment to open and reproducible
research are essential.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
You will join a dynamic, international, and supportive research group that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration.
ETH Zurich provides an outstanding scientific environment with access to high-performance computing. The position
includes close collaboration with Prof. Christian Franck’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, including
regular joint meetings and the possibility of short research visits. ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with
excellent working conditions, cultural diversity, and attractive offers and benefits.
chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
We value diversity and sustainability
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value
diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students
are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open
environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently
working towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- a CV
- a list of publications
- a brief statement outlining your research interests and how they relate to the themes of this position
- the names and contact details of two references
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via
email or postal services will not be considered.
The position is available with a flexible start date, ideally as soon as possible.
This position can be offered with a workload of 80–100%.
Further information about the professorship can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be
directed to Prof. David Kammer by email dkammer@ethz.ch (no applications).
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial
intelligence.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
print Drucken
At the Professorship of Solid Mechanics (SMEC) in the Institute for Building Materials at ETH Zurich, we aim to
understand how materials deform, degrade, break, and ultimately fail. Our research is driven by curiosity about the
physical mechanisms that underlie failure and by the ambition to translate this understanding into more reliable and
resilient materials and structures. By combining numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses,
we seek to link microscopic processes with the macroscopic behavior of both engineering and natural systems and develop
predictive tools for mechanical failure.
Our team is highly interdisciplinary and international, bringing together researchers with backgrounds in materials
science, mechanics, and applied physics. We work across a broad range of topics, including the mechanics of particle
systems (colloidal and granular), architected and topologically interlocked materials, the mechanics of fragility in
collagen, the mechanics of earthquakes, fracture of soft materials, and modeling failure in multiphysical processes
such as corrosion-driven degradation of concrete. What unites these efforts is a shared curiosity about why complex
materials fail and a commitment to developing new concepts, experiments, and models that advance our understanding of
failure mechanics.
Project background
To advance our efforts in understanding failure of soft materials, we are seeking a motivated and innovative
Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in computational solid mechanics and fracture/damage modeling. The
Postdoctoral Researcher will help expand our modeling capabilities and drive independent research that complements and
extends our research on the mechanisms governing material failure.
Job description
- You will lead the computational and theoretical investigation of damage evolution associated with cavitation in soft
materials under high-rate loading.
- The work will focus on developing physics-based models that connect behavior across scales, from the polymeric
network and mesoscale structure to the macroscopic continuum, supported by consistent coarse-graining and
homogenization strategies.
- Your responsibilities include formulating constitutive and damage laws that capture cavitation-driven processes,
implementing and verifying robust large deformation solvers, and performing rigorous verification and validation using
datasets provided by collaborators in Prof. Christian Franck’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- The position provides a stimulating environment for scientific growth and collaboration.
Profile
-
You hold a doctoral degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, biomedical engineering, materials science, physics, or a
related field.
-
You have a strong background in computational solid mechanics and nonlinear continuum mechanics, including fracture
and damage modeling under large deformations.
-
You are comfortable implementing and verifying numerical solvers, analyzing stability and convergence, and performing
verification against experimental data.
-
Proficiency in Python, together with good software engineering practices such as version control and testing, is
expected.
-
Experience with high-rate dynamics, cavitation, viscoelastic or poroelastic behavior, or uncertainty quantification is
a plus.
-
You are curious, self-motivated, and enjoy collaborating closely with experimentalists, including partners at the
University of Wisconsin–Madison.
-
Strong communication skills in English, the ability to mentor students, and a commitment to open and reproducible
research are essential.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
You will join a dynamic, international, and supportive research group that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration.
ETH Zurich provides an outstanding scientific environment with access to high-performance computing. The position
includes close collaboration with Prof. Christian Franck’s group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, including
regular joint meetings and the possibility of short research visits. ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with
excellent working conditions, cultural diversity, and attractive offers and benefits.
chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
We value diversity and sustainability
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value
diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students
are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open
environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently
working towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- a CV
- a list of publications
- a brief statement outlining your research interests and how they relate to the themes of this position
- the names and contact details of two references
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via
email or postal services will not be considered.
The position is available with a flexible start date, ideally as soon as possible.
This position can be offered with a workload of 80–100%.
Further information about the professorship can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be
directed to Prof. David Kammer by email dkammer@ethz.ch (no applications).
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial
intelligence.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.