Postdoc position in micromechanical modeling of Polyethylene

I am seeking a postdoctoral candidate starting immediately for computational modeling of the thermomechanical behavior of polyethylene.   The goal of the project is to under the effect of the mesoscale structures and defect structures on the temperature-dependent and time-dependent behavior of polyethylene.  In previous work, we have developed a finite element representative unit cell of the arrangements of crystalline and amorphous domains in the material. Each domain is described either as an anisotropic hyperelastic or visco-hyperelastic model to examine the effect of the domain morphology and properties on the anisotropic strength and stiffness of the fibers.  The successful candidate can either extend the existing approach or develop a new approach to study the effects of voids and microcracks on the strength and toughness of the fibers. The project is very collaborative and interdisciplinary, and the postdoctoral fellow will interact regularly with scientists at ARL, U. of Delaware, Drexel University, materials scientists specializing in microscale experimental characterization and polymer synthesis, and physicists specializing in coarse grain modeling of polymers. Additional duties include communicating research findings in collaborative meetings, reports, journal publications, and conferences.  The postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities to develop independent research ideas and write proposals through the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute's postdoctoral development program.

Qualifications:

The candidate is required to have a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and experience in computational modeling.  Previous experience with plasticity  or polymers constitutive modeling and developing ABAQUS user subroutiines is highly desired.  US citizenship or residency is desired, though not required.

Contact:

Prof. T. D. (Vicky) Nguyen

The Johns Hopkins University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

3400 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

Email: nguyenlabjhu@gmail.com

To apply, please e-mail a complete curriculum vitae, a representative publication, and the names and addresses of two references to the above contact. Please specifically reference this posting.  Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.