Entry-Level - Researcher - Computational Materials Science: Continuum Scales and Materials Discovery

General Motors; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors Research and Development seeks a Researcher in the Mechanics, Materials, and Process Research Lab to advance computational materials science at continuum scales. You will propose new directions, develop models, and lead studies connecting composition, microstructure, processing, and performance to support next-generation materials for GM vehicles.

You will apply continuum-scale and data-driven methods, guiding experimental validation and translating discoveries into practical

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics or related field.
• Graduating between August 2026 - June 2027 noted.
• Ability to work full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, transport, and structure-property relations.
• Experience with continuum-scale models for materials or manufacturing processes.
• Experience with FEM, phase-field, crystal plasticity, multiphysics, or related simulations.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, C/C++, Fortran, MATLAB, Julia).
• Ability to translate physical assumptions into models and communicate limits clearly.
• Experience in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with internal/external collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute collaborative research in computational materials science focusing on continuum-scale behavior and materials discovery.
• Develop physics-based models for composition-process-structure-property relationships.
• Build and apply continuum and mesoscale simulation methods (FEM, phase-field, crystal plasticity, CFD, reaction-diffusion, cellular automata).
• Integrate thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, and processing science into predictive workflows.
• Use simulation and data-driven methods to screen materials, compositions, and processing conditions.
• Collaborate with experimental researchers to define experiments and interpret results.
• Establish verification, validation, calibration, and uncertainty quantification practices.
• Connect computational insights to manufacturing processes and vehicle performance requirements.
• Drive collaborations with GM teams, universities, labs, and software developers.

Skills

Continuum modeling

Data-driven methods

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Finite-element analysis

Education

MS/PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

Tools

Fortran

Julia

Job description

Job Description

The Role:

As a valued Researcher in the Mechanics, Materials, and Process Research Lab at General Motors Research and Development, you will advance computational materials science at continuum length scales to accelerate the discovery, design, and deployment of materials for next-generation vehicle and manufacturing applications. You will propose new research directions, establish technical research plans, and lead collaborative studies that connect material composition, microstructure, processing, performance, and engineering requirements.

You will develop and apply continuum-scale models, simulation workflows, and data-driven methods to generate new insights into materials behavior across relevant spatial and temporal scales. Your work will guide experimental research, enable efficient materials down-selection, and help translate computational discoveries into practical materials and manufacturing solutions. You will document and communicate results through high-quality technical reports, external publications, presentations, software or workflow documentation, and records of invention.

The Team:

This position supports the development of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for future GM products and processes. The researcher will work at the intersection of continuum-scale simulation, materials discovery, experimental validation, and application-focused engineering.

What You'll Do:

• Plan and execute collaborative research in computational materials science, with emphasis on continuum-scale materials behavior and materials discovery.
• Develop physics-based models for composition-process-structure-property relationships, including constitutive behavior, phase evolution, transport, damage, fracture, fatigue, thermal response, and multiphysics phenomena as appropriate.
• Build and apply continuum and mesoscale simulation methods such as finite-element, phase-field, crystal-plasticity, computational fluid dynamics, reaction-diffusion, cellular automata, or related approaches.
• Integrate thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, processing science, and materials data into predictive computational workflows.
• Use simulation, high-throughput computation, optimization, and data-driven methods to screen candidate materials, compositions, processing conditions, and architectures.
• Partner closely with experimental researchers to define informative experiments, interpret results, quantify uncertainty, and accelerate materials down-selection.
• Establish model verification, validation, calibration, uncertainty quantification, and sensitivity-analysis practices appropriate for research and engineering use.
• Connect computational materials insights to manufacturing processes and vehicle-relevant performance requirements.
• Drive internal and external collaborations with GM engineering teams, universities, national laboratories, software developers, and research partners.
• Maintain awareness of the state of the art in continuum mechanics, computational materials science, materials informatics, scientific machine learning, and related disciplines.
• Prepare timely, high-quality technical reports, presentations, publications, software documentation, and invention disclosures.
• Generate intellectual property to protect new inventions, computational methods, and research results.
• Assist and mentor other employees in accomplishing project and research goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Must be graduating between August 2026 - June 2027
• Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week
• Strong foundation in materials thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, transport, numerical methods, and structure-property relationships.
• Experience developing or applying continuum-scale models to materials, manufacturing processes, or engineering systems.
• Experience with one or more of the following: finite-element analysis, phase-field modeling, crystal plasticity, constitutive modeling, damage and fracture, multiphysics simulation, reaction-diffusion, or process simulation.
• Experience connecting material chemistry, microstructure, processing history, and performance through computational models.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using tools such as Python, C/C++, Fortran, MATLAB, Julia, or similar languages.
• Experience with numerical algorithms, high-performance computing, version-controlled software, and reproducible computational workflows.
• Ability to formulate research questions, translate physical assumptions into models, and communicate model limitations clearly.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with GM internal and external collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications):

Ph.D. strongly preferred. Experience with one or more of the following: Integra