Postdoc: Mechanics Informatics & Data-Driven FE Modeling

NU USA Northeastern University; New Jersey; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to conduct integrated experimental and computational research on informatics-driven mechanical characterization of solid and porous materials. The role combines hands-on experimental mechanics with rigorous simulation and data analysis, including DIC, FE workflows, and Bayesian optimization.

The successful candidate will design heterogeneous specimens, perform multiaxial tests on a dual-actuator frame, and develop automated simulation

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials science and engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field.
• 0-3 years of relevant research experience in experimental and/or computational solid mechanics
• Knowledge of solid mechanics and constitutive modeling including anisotropic elasticity, plasticity, and porous/cellular materials
• Ability to conduct mechanical testing on electromechanical or servo-hydraulic load frames and apply full-field optical measurement techniques such as DIC
• Ability to design and execute experiments on heterogeneous specimen geometries, including fabrication, instrumentation, and test documentation
• Knowledge of nonlinear finite element analysis and experience with codes such as Abaqus (including user-defined materials)
• Ability to program in Python and develop automated simulation, data-processing, and inverse-identification workflows
• Familiarity with optimization, Bayesian inference, uncertainty quantification, or machine learning applied to engineering problems
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental and simulation data, prepare peer-reviewed publications, and present results to academic and industrial audiences

Responsibilities

• Develop experimental platform by designing heterogeneous specimens and conducting multiaxial tests with a dual-actuator frame
• Build automated FE and inverse-identification workflows that learn constitutive parameters from test data and perform cross-validation with uncertainty quantification
• Extend modeling framework to porous and cellular materials, including compressible formulations and transferability assessment
• Support industry-sponsored projects on testing and characterization of battery components and related materials
• Document findings through publications, reports, and conference presentations; mentor students; contribute to proposals

Skills

Python programming

DIC (digital image correlation)

Bayesian inference

Finite element methods

data analysis

experimental mechanics

uncertainty quantification

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering or closely related field

Tools

Abaqus

Open-source FEM tools

Job description

Northeastern University is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to conduct integrated experimental and computational research on informatics-driven mechanical characterization of solid and porous materials. The role combines hands-on experimental mechanics with rigorous simulation and data analysis, including DIC, FE workflows, and Bayesian optimization.

The successful candidate will design heterogeneous specimens, perform multiaxial tests on a dual-actuator frame, and develop automated simulation