Postdoctoral Research Associate - Civil & Environmental Engineering

Apply now Job no:511235
Work type:Post Doc (Amherst Only)
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Civil & Environ Engineering
Union: Post Doc
Categories:Laboratory & Research, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Research, College of Engineering

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The postdoc will work on research that relies on a novel concrete confinement technique which can be achieved through a unique mechanical property found in architected metamaterials. The research approach is to employ auxetic (negative Poisson’s ratio) metamaterial lattice architectures as reinforcement and demonstrate the utility of this new auxetically confined concrete for improving the performance of members within a building structural system. The project is NSF funded.

The post doc will belong to Professor Gerasimidis group at UMass and will work on experiments and computations.

Essential Functions

• Use metal 3D printing to manufacture auxetic lattices and measure their auxeticity depending on the design and the plasticity of the material. Different auxetic designs are expected to be examined in the 3D printing lab and for testing.
• Research the key factors related to the different auxetic reinforcement techniques in a continuum matrix.
• Mentoring graduate students through setting up and evaluation of 3D metal printing.
• Conceptualizing, setting up and assessing the mechanical properties of metal auxetics either in isolation or embedded in a matrix.
• Preparation of research papers and reports.
• Development of project research goals through innovative ideas and approaches.
• Presentation of research to audiences at national and international scientific meetings.
• Preparation of research papers and reports.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Civil or Mechanical Engineering
• Knowledge of architected materials, additive manufacturing of metals, reinforced concrete
• Demonstrated skills in writing scientific papers and project reports.

Application Instructions:

Please submit your application online and include a CV, a research statement, and three professional references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.  Anticipated position start date is April 1, 2022.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.