Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- Czech Technical University in Prague
- Research Field
- Engineering » Aerospace engineeringEngineering » Civil engineeringEngineering » Mechanical engineeringEngineering » Materials engineeringEngineering » Simulation engineeringPhysics » Computational physics
- Researcher Profile
- First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Hours Per Week
- 40
- Offer Starting Date
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Not funded by an EU programme
- Reference Number
- 01-PhD-Jirasek
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to join our research group in a fully funded Ph.D. position. Within this project, you will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the design and simulation of novel architected/metamaterials with a focus on their nonlinear behavior under static and dynamic loads.
Traditional design methods for metamaterials, particularly those employed for dynamic applications, typically assume a linear response. However, near-resonance excitations can induce significant displacements. Incorporating the nonlinear response regime into the analysis allows for more precise control of wave propagation, enabling the development of innovative devices such as mechanical classifiers, diodes, and modulators [1]. Your Ph.D. project will focus on leveraging these nonlinearities to design the next generation of high-performance architected materials.
To familiarize yourself with the topic, you will start with an in-depth analysis of hexagonal cells equipped with internal switching cantilevers under static, cyclic, and dynamic excitation. This analysis will utilize the recently developed formulation of nonlinear beam elements [2]. As you delve deeper into the project, you'll be tasked with designing innovative architected materials with internal contacts and instabilities. By applying your creativity to this challenge, you'll develop materials specifically suited for impact scenarios, with the goal of mitigating or controlling the impact energy. The design paradigm we envision draws inspiration from the discretely assembled materials [4] and the modular approach we recently proposed [5], i.e., designing distinct metamaterial unit cells and combining them into coherent, modular structures exhibiting desired behavior.
The offer comes with a rare interdisciplinary and international collaboration opportunity: the position will be jointly supervised by Milan Jirásek and Martin Doškář from the Department of Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, and Marc Geers and Ondřej Rokoš from the Mechanics of Materials Section of Mechanical Engineering Department, Eindhoven University of Technology. In addition, you will be embedded in the 4.5-year EU-funded ROBOPROX project, which integrates leading researchers in control, optimization, robotics, computational methods, and automated manufacturing. All results of this project can thus be validated against physical experiments.
References
[1] Patil, G. U., & Matlack, K. H. (2022). Review of exploiting nonlinearity in phononic materials to enable nonlinear wave responses. Acta Mechanica, 233(1), 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-021-03089-z
[2] Jirásek, M., La Malfa Ribolla, E., & Horák, M. (2021). Efficient finite difference formulation of a geometrically nonlinear beam element. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 122(23), 7013–7053. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.6820
[3] Kochmann, D. M., & Bertoldi, K. (2017). Exploiting microstructural instabilities in solids and structures: From metamaterials to structural transitions. Applied Mechanics Reviews, 69(5), 050801. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4037966
[4] Jenett, B., Cameron, C., Tourlomousis, F., Rubio, A. P., Ochalek, M., & Gershenfeld, N. (2020). Discretely assembled mechanical metamaterials. Science Advances, 6(47), eabc9943. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abc9943
[5] Tyburec, M., Doškář, M., Zeman, J., & Kružík, M. (2022). Modular-topology optimization of structures and mechanisms with free material design and clustering. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 395, 114977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2022.114977
Requirements
- Research Field
- All
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Motivation to perform excellent research, become part of the global research communities in architectured materials’ design and non-linear mechanics, and publish in first-tier journals,
Eager to learn and adapt, with a keen interest in mastering diverse concepts in interdisciplinary research to contribute effectively to the project,
MSc degree or equivalent (awarded or to be obtained soon) in a field related to the opening,
Professional proficiency in spoken/written English.
Successful candidates should have a strong background in at least one of the following areas:
Structural or solid mechanics,
Finite element method,
Nonlinear computational dynamics.
In addition, we require code development skills, preferably in MATLAB, Python, Julia, C++, or a related programming language.
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
Additional Information
We offer:
An initial appointment for 1 year (with an extension of up to 4 years, based on annual performance evaluations),
Full waiver of tuition fees in the doctoral degree programs Physical and Materials Engineering or Mathematics in Civil Engineering (depending on your preference),
Net compensation of about 1,600 EUR monthly (includes salary and student stipends); check the Numbeo database for the cost of living in Prague,
Full social and health insurance,
6 weeks of paid annual leave,
An informal and inclusive international working environment at the Open Mechanics group,
Additional benefits such as subsidized meals, yearly benefits supporting recreational and sports activities, as well as health care programs,
Relocation assistance via the EURAXESS Czech Republic office.
Why Prague and CTU?
Prague regularly ranks among the top five European cities to live in (cf. the most recent Time Out Magazine index),
Beautiful mountain landscapes and historic cities are within hours of travel,
Numerous exquisite European destinations can be reached from Prague without border restrictions or delays, because of Czechia’s Schengen-area membership,
CTU’s Dejvice Campus features a range of student amenities, such as the National Library of Technology, and a laid-back atmosphere with cafes and other social hangout places,
CTU’s International Student Club provides assistance with study affairs and organizes leisure time and social activities,
CTU is committed to the principles of inclusiveness and gender equity in accordance with its Gender Equality Plan,
CTU operates children’s corner, kindergarten, and elementary school.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications at:
https://forms.gle/Q7Rxn4R4NZFyWZuY7 [using Ph.D. Position ID 01-PhD-Jirasek]
The application package should contain:
Motivation letter (up to two pages), stating personal goals and research interests,
Academic curriculum vitae, including descriptions of previous projects you have worked on and/or a list of publications and files of the most important publications, when applicable,
Contact details for two to three referees who could support your application,
A copy or a link to your M.Sc. thesis,
Date of your M.Sc. degree award or the expected date of your M.Sc. thesis defense.
For full consideration, complete applications must be received by 30 April 2024. We reserve the right to disregard incomplete applications.
Review of applications will begin immediately upon receipt of your application and will continue no later than 14 May 2024. The evaluation committee will then invite shortlisted candidates to up to two rounds of interviews (in-person for applicants living in the Czech Republic and remote for all other candidates).
The ROBOPROX team embraces diversity and inclusion and offers applicants equal opportunities, regardless of their orientation, identity, or background. We particularly welcome female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups.
For more information:
About the research-related topics: please feel free to contact Martin Doškář at martin.doskar@cvut.cz or Milan Jirásek at milan.jirasek@fsv.cvut.cz,
About employment conditions or living in Prague: please consult the comprehensive info provided by EURAXESS Czech Republic, or contact Eliška Blümlová at eliska.blumlova@fsv.cvut.cz.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague
- Country
- Czech Republic
- City
- Prague 6
- Postal Code
- 166 29
- Street
- Thákurova 7
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
Contact
- State/Province
- Czech Republic
- City
- Prague
- Website
- Street
- Jugoslávských partyzánů 1580/3
- Postal Code
- 16000
- pavel.koudelak@cvut.cz