Vin Crespi (Penn State physics) and I are looking for a post-doctoral student to continue a National Science Foundation supported project studying the use of multi-scale modeling methods for predicting instabilities in nano- and micro-scale structures.  The position would be for one year given satisfactory progress.  There are many different directions and aspects, from quantum to continuum mechanics, of the project and we are willing to take it in any direction.  Thus, if you have a strong background and Ph.D. in mechanics or theoretical physics, please send your CV to emm10@psu.edu and I can give you more details about the project and what has already been done.

Koiter's PhD thesis, dated 1945, gave the birth of post-buckling analysis, and quantified the notion of imperfection sensitivity.  He wrote the thesis in Dutch.  An excellent English translation is free online.  (Direct URL:  http://www.gl.iit.edu/wadc/DigitalCollection/1970/AFFDLTR70-025.pdf)