Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcheress

Postdoctoral Researcher in Modeling Damage Mechanics in Cavitation of Soft Materials

100%, Zurich, Fixed-Term

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 fueled by a curiosity about the physical mechanisms underlying failure, and our ambition to translate this understanding into more reliable and resilient materials and structures. By integrating numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses, we aspire to connect microscopic processes with the macroscopic behavior of both engineering and natural systems, developing predictive tools for mechanical failure.

Our team is interdisciplinary and international, consisting of researchers with diverse backgrounds in materials science, mechanics, and applied physics. We tackle 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
• Modeling failure in multiphysical processes such as corrosion-driven degradation of concrete

Project Background

To further our understanding of failure in 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 enhance our modeling capabilities and drive independent research that complements and extends our investigations into material failure mechanisms.

Job Description

• You will lead computational and theoretical investigations into 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, utilizing consistent coarse-graining and homogenization strategies.
• Your responsibilities will include formulating constitutive and damage laws that capture cavitation-driven processes, implementing and verifying robust large deformation solvers, and conducting rigorous verification and validation using datasets from collaborators in Prof. Christian Franck’s group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• The position offers 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 possess 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, along with solid 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 advantageous.
• You are curious, self-motivated, and enjoy collaborating closely with experimentalists, including partners at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Strong communication skills in English, mentoring abilities, and a commitment to open and reproducible research are essential.

Workplace

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, featuring regular joint meetings and the possibility of short research visits. ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer offering excellent working conditions, cultural diversity, and attractive benefits.

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. Sustainability is a core principle for us, and we continuously strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure your application includes:

• A CV
• A list of publications
• A brief statement outlining your research interests and how they relate to this position's themes
• Contact details of two references

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. The position is available with a flexible start date, ideally as soon as possible, and can accommodate a workload of 80-100%.

For more details about the professorship, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. David Kammer at dkammer@ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society, we host over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries. Our university fosters independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe while forging connections globally, we work together to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.