Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces

ETH Zurich; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

ETH Zurich invites applications for a Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces within the SMEC group at the Institute for Building Materials. The project aims to understand how local contact interactions shape macroscopic interface response using physics-based modeling, theory, and numerical simulations.

The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary, international team, focusing on lattice materials, rough-surface contact mechanics, and multiscale approaches, with

Qualifications

• MSc degree in mechanics, physics, (civil, mechanical, aerospace, or bio-) engineering, material science, computational science, or a related discipline.
• Background in mechanics, applied physics, computational mechanics, scientific computing, or a related field.
• Experience implementing scientific code and validating results, with Python and version control.

Responsibilities

• Conduct computational and theoretical investigations of local contact interactions in architected materials to determine macroscopic interface response.
• Connect cell-scale mechanics with multiscale/rough-surface contact mechanics to develop effective descriptions of architected interfaces.
• Develop and use numerical models of lattice materials to explore principles of contact behavior.
• Analyze how architectural features and material properties influence contact area, pressure distributions, interface stiffness, and load transmission.
• Seek statistical or homogenized descriptions linking mechanics of individual contacting cells to large-scale interfaces.

Skills

Python programming

Version control

Computational mechanics

Scientific computing

Teamwork

English fluency

Education

MSc in mechanics/engineering/physics or related field

Job description

Organisation/Company ETH Zürich Research Field Engineering Aerospace engineering Engineering Civil engineering Engineering Materials engineering Engineering Mechanical engineering Engineering Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 10 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Switzerland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces

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 driven by curiosity about the physical mechanisms that underlie failure and by the ambition to translate this understanding into more reliable and resilient materials and structures. By combining numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses, we seek to link microscopic processes with the macroscopic behavior of both engineering and natural systems and develop predictive tools for mechanical failure.

Our team is highly interdisciplinary and international, bringing together researchers with backgrounds in materials science, mechanics, and applied physics. We work across 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, and modeling failure in multiphysical processes such as corrosion-driven degradation of concrete. What unites these efforts is a shared curiosity about why complex materials fail and a commitment to developing new concepts, experiments, and models that advance our understanding of failure mechanics.

We are seeking a motivated and innovative doctoral student with a strong interest in solid mechanics, interface mechanics, and computational modeling to investigate how local contact interactions in architected materials shape their macroscopic interface response. The project will explore how architecture influences collective contact behavior, aiming to develop design principles. The work will combine physics-based numerical modeling, theoretical reasoning, and concepts from rough-surface and multiscale mechanics.

• You will conduct a computational and theoretical investigation of how local contact interactions in architected materials collectively determine their macroscopic interface response.
• The work will connect cell-scale mechanics with concepts from multiscale/rough-surface contact mechanics to develop effective descriptions of architected interfaces.
• You will develop and use numerical models of lattice materials to investigate the underlying principles of contact behavior of architected materials.
• You will analyze how architectural features, material properties, and characteristic length scales influence quantities such as contact area, pressure distributions, interface stiffness, and load transmission.
• Building on these results, you will seek statistical or homogenized descriptions that connect the mechanics of individual contacting cells to the effective behavior of large architected interfaces.
• The position provides a stimulating environment for scientific growth and collaboration.

Profile

• You hold an MSc degree in mechanics, physics, (civil, mechanical, aerospace, or bio-) engineering, material science, computational science, or a related discipline.
• You have a background in mechanics, applied physics, computational mechanics, scientific computing, or a related field. A foundation in areas such as solid mechanics, contact mechanics, or multiscale modeling is particularly relevant.
• You have experience implementing scientific code and assessing computational results through validation, verification, and quantitative comparison with reference data.
• You have prior programming experience in Python and have used version control.
• You are curious, self-motivated, and interested in using modeling and quantitative reasoning to answer mechanics and physics questions. Experience with architected materials, rough-surface contact mechanics, homogenization, statistical mechanics, or multiscale methods is an advantage but is not required; the project-specific methods and concepts can be learned during the doctoral studies.
• You are fluent in English (oral and written).
• You enjoy working in a team, possess the necessary social skills and communication abilities, and contribute proactively to a positive group atmosphere.

We offer

• You will join a dynamic, international, and supportive research group that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration.
• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich We value diversity and sustainabilityIn 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. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future .Curious? So are we.

Further information about the professorship can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. David Kammer, [e-mail] (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

The position is available with a flexible start date, possibly as soon as possible.

About ETH ZürichETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.