Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces

1000scholars; Zürich; On-site; CHF 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transport season tickets

Car sharing

ASVZ sports facilities

Childcare support

Job summary

ETH Zurich's Professorship of Solid Mechanics invites applications for a Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces. The project investigates how local contact interactions in architected materials shape macroscopic interface response using lattice models, theory, and simulations.

The successful candidate will hold an MSc in mechanics, physics, or related engineering, have experience in Python and scientific computing, and good English communication.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in mechanics, physics, civil/mechanical/architected engineering, material science, computational science, or a related discipline.
• Background in mechanics, applied physics, computational mechanics, scientific computing.
• Experience implementing scientific code and validating results against references.
• Programming in Python and using version control.
• Fluent in English (oral and written).

Responsibilities

• Conduct a computational and theoretical investigation of how local contact interactions in architected materials determine macroscopic interface response.
• Connect cell-scale mechanics with multiscale/rough-surface contact mechanics to develop effective descriptions.
• Develop and use numerical models of lattice materials to study underlying principles of contact behavior.
• Analyze how architectural features, material properties, and length scales influence contact area, pressure distributions, interface stiffness, and load transmission.
• Seek statistical or homogenized descriptions connecting micro to macro behavior of architected interfaces.
• Support an international and collaborative research environment.

Skills

Python

Version control

Scientific computing

Education

MSc in mechanics/physics/engineering

Tools

Git

Job description

Doctoral Position in contact mechanics of architected interfaces

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 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.

Job description

• 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.


• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.


• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension 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. 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 Zürich

ETH 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.