We have a postdoc opening to be hosted in our fleXLab @ EPFL in the area of the mechanics of slender structures, with a combined focus on experiments and theory. The research will be done in collaboration with, and co-advised by both Pedro Reis (EPFL) and Basile Audoly (CNRS and Ecole Polytechnique, France). The project aims to use dimensional reduction procedures to develop predictive reduced-order descriptions of slender structures (rods, plates, or shells), with complex internal structure.

Further details about this position, including a link to the online application system, can be found at https://recruiting.epfl.ch/Vacancies/1468/Description/2

Your profile: Candidates should have recently obtained or are about to receive a Ph.D. in Physics, or Mechanical/Civil/Aerospace Engineering, or related disciplines. The research is expected to involve a combination of laboratory work and theoretical modeling. Candidates are expected to have an affinity for collaborative work at the experiments-theory interface.

We offer: The successful postdoc will join a vibrant, collaborative, international, and diverse research team with interdisciplinary expertise in experimental, computational, and theoretical mechanics. The focus of research activity at the fleXLab is centered around curiosity-driven research in the general area of physics and mechanics of soft/compliant mechanical structures. The fleXLab is hosted at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and offers unique state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The research of Basile Audoly focuses on theoretical mechanics, with a particular interest in nonlinear problems involving the coupling of elasticity and geometry. With Yves Pomeau, he has authored the book « Elasticity and Geometry » (Oxford University Press, 2010). 

More information about both of our research groups, including other active research themes, can be found in the following links: https://flexlab.epfl.ch and http://www.lmm.jussieu.fr/~audoly/

The following video of a combined talk (EML Webinar on July 15th) provides a series of examples of the collaborative work that we have done on related topics over the past few years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwDKU6dCWxw&feature=emb_err_woyt

Opportunities for involvement in the teaching of mechanics-related classes will be provided both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  

Applications received by September 30th, 2020, will receive equal consideration and should include: (i) Cover letter, (ii) CV, (iii) Three contacts for references, and (iv) Copy of most significant publication to date. The expected start date is February 1st, 2021.

Warm regards,

Pedro Reis (EPFL) and Basile Audoly (Ecole Polytechnique)

The projects aim at studying the kinetics of self-assembly of copolymer materials 
and at investigating the rheology of dense polymer melts and composites via computer 
simulations of highly coarse-grained models. Candidates are expected to hold a PhD 
degree in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering, have experience with molecular
simulations of coarse-grained polymer models or self-consistent field theory, and have 
very good communication skills in English. Experience in high-performance computing 
(using e.g., HOOMD) is desirable.

 https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/305402.html?cid=15104. 

Deadline for application will be September 15, 2020. Later applications may be considered as long as the position remains unfilled.

Openings: Two Theory/Computation Postdoctoral Researchers in Self-Limited Assembly (SLA), UMass Amherst and Brandeis University(1) Computational Soft Matter (Computational modeling of SLA pathways)(2) Theoretical Soft Matter (Theoretical mechanisms and theory-directed design of SLA)
We seek two postdocs to join a multidisciplinary effort connected to the NSF funded Brandeis Bioinspired Soft Materials research center (Ben Rogers, Seth Fraden, Mike Hagan, and Greg Grason), with a primary goal to elucidate the mechanisms of their assembly into self-limiting architectures using theory, computer simulation and experimental study of geometrically programmed “building blocks”.  For additional information on the scientific scope of the “Self-Limiting Assemblies” (SLA) project, see below.  
We are specifically seeking two postdoctoral positions in theory and computation, one at UMass Amherst hosted in the Grason group, and one at Brandeis University in the Hagan group.  Each position will work closely with both Grason and Hagan, as well as experimental groups (Rogers and Fraden), to develop and test controlled SLA systems.

1) Computational modeling of SLA pathways. Location: Brandeis University Qualifications: Experience in computational physics, including molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, enhanced sampling, data-driven approaches, and/or implementation of large-scale parallelized/GPU-enabled simulations. Tasks: Simulate assembly of finite-sized architectures using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo approaches. Primary supervisor: Mike Hagan (Brandeis).
2) Theoretical mechanisms and theory-directed design of SLA. Location: UMass Amherst Qualifications: Experience in soft-matter theory, discrete geometry, and computational physics. Applicants are sought with interests in fields such as soft matter, thermodynamics, and materials science. Tasks: Develop geometrical principles to design new SLA ‘’building blocks ». Develop theoretical models of emergent behavior of geometrically frustrated assembly. Primary supervisor: Greg Grason (UMass: Amherst).Both positions offer ample opportunities for your professional development including participating in exciting cutting-edge science, gaining mentoring experience, and initiating your own research directions.  Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. UMass Amherst and Brandeis University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employers.
Start Date: As soon as September 2020. 
Submit applications to both grason@mail.pse.umass.edu and hagan@brandeis.edu specify which position(s) you are applying for. Please include a CV, a list of references, and a brief description of your previous research.

MRSEC collaboration on “Self Limiting Assemblies”:
The SLA collaborative team (Rogers, Fraden, Hagan and Fraden) will develop a versatile class of DNA-origami building blocks to elucidate the fundamental physical principles for engineering components that self-assemble into large, but finite-size, superstructures. The self-assembly of size-controlled architectures is prevalent in living systems. The adaptive functions of biological materials, including viral shells, cytoskeletal filaments, and photonic nanostructures of bird feathers arise from the regulated finite size of self-assembled architectures. In contrast, most inorganic materials form unlimited structures like crystals. In this project, we will advance two complementary paradigms for bottom-up assembly of size-controlled architectures.  One uses curvature programmed building blocks that assemble into self-closing structures (e.g. tubules and capsules). The other advances a new paradigm of geometrically-frustrated assembly, in which ill-fitting blocks accumulate stresses that grow with assembly and limit their thermodynamic size.
This collaborative research addresses many fundamental questions in self-assembly: How do shapes, interactions, and flexibilities of building blocks control the assembly size? How can self-limiting assembly be adapted to distinct morphologies, like ropes, fibers, sheets or shells? Are there fundamental or practical limits to the sizes of controllably assembled structures? By answering these questions and more, we aim to develop engineering principles to create size-controlled architectures with high yield, with the structural control currently only possible via “top down” fabrication techniques (e.g. 3D printing and lithographic fabrication).

Annonce en pdf

Postdoctoral Associate in Microfluidics and Soft-Materials Research

Brandeis University Bioinspired Soft Materials MRSEC, Waltham, MA, USA

We seek a postdoc to join the Brandeis Bioinspired Soft Materials MRSEC, a multidisciplinary, tightly integrated team, to design and fabricate new microfluidic devices. The focus will be on controlling protein crystallization for drug discovery applications and engaging in basic research in active matter of purified biological systems and self-assembly of DNA origami. The position will be integrated into a team of students, postdocs and faculty who work together across groups and disciplines to achieve our goals.

Responsibilities include training new students in the manufacture and operation of microfluidic devices in our cleanroom and supervising a summer course, taught in conjunction with graduate students. This position offers ample opportunities for professional development including participation in exciting cutting-edge science, gaining mentoring experience, and the potential for initiating new research.

Experience, attributes, and skills sought:

·       PhD in mechanical engineering with a diverse background in microfabrication and microfluidics.

·       Creative scientist with a track record of quality publications.

·       Automation, instrument design and construction, opto-mechanics.

·       Fabrication, including computer-aided design (CAD), CNC, laser cutting, and 3D printing.

·       Mentoring.

·       Interdisciplinary knowledge and skills bridging engineering to soft matter.

·       Work experience in cleanrooms, advanced imaging facilities, and laboratory settings.

·       Team player with outstanding leadership, communication and presentation skills.

Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Brandeis University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer M/W/D/V.

Start Date: September 2020. Location: Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA 

Submit applications to MRSECpostdoc@brandeis.edu via email.

For more information see: 

“XScreen Chip” @ https://www.brandeis.edu/mrsec/research/videos.html, 

the Brandeis MRSEC @ https://www.brandeis.edu/mrsec/ 

and the Fraden Lab @ http://fraden.brandeis.edu/.

2 years postdoc fellowship on ‘rheology and dynamics of the Earth’s 
mantle’, ENS de Lyon, France

Starting from the microscopic properties of mineral grains, our goal is to 
construct a coherent macroscopic model of the mantle rheology to be used in 
numerical  simulations of mantle convection. The position will take place at the 
Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon (http://lgltpe.ens-lyon.fr/) for a research in 
collaboration with Yanick Ricard (ricard@ens-lyon.fr see https://perso.ens-lyon.fr/yanick.ricard/). The candidates should have a solid background in continuum physics and could come from Physics, Material sciences or Earth sciences.