Postdoctoral Researcher - Mechanical Engineering

Job Description The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead the modeling and simulation work on bioinspired self-burying seed carriers for forest regeneration. The work centers on the coupling between hygroscopic actuation in soft active materials, large deformation and instability of slender structures, and the response of granular soil to a penetrating body. The position is part of an NSF-funded collaborative project with the University of California Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University. This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by a union, SEIU Local 200 United. Qualifications PhD in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, materials science, physics, or a closely-related discipline. Job Specific Qualifications Demonstrate potential for excellence in researchExcellent verbal and written communication skillsWillingness to drive a new project in a multidisciplinary research environmentDemonstrated expertise in one or more of the following project areas: nonlinear finite element analysis including user subroutines in Abaqus, discrete element or particle-based simulation of granular materials such as LAMMPS, large deformation and structural instability, multiphysics coupling, design optimization, high-performance computing, scientific software development Responsibilities The candidate will develop and validate models of seed carrier actuation and carrier-soil interaction, calibrate those models against laboratory and field measurements, build an integrated simulation platform for design exploration, and work with the manufacturing and field testing groups on the project. The candidate will also help the PI to mentor students. 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