Postdoc Position | Fluid-Structure Interaction | Flexible Structures Laboratory | EPFL | Switzerland

We have a postdoc opening in our fleXLab @ EPFL in the area of fluid-structure interaction at high Re, with a focus on experiments. The goal is to study the mechanisms underlying the coupling between fluid flow and multi-component morphing structures. Further details about this position, including a link to the online application system, can be found in the following link: https://recruiting.epfl.ch/Vacancies/590/Description/2

Your mission: The Flexible Structures Laboratory (fleXLab) headed by Prof. Pedro Reis at EPFL invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in the area of fluid-structure interaction. The project will consist or exploring, understanding and designing morphable/flexible structures to achieve tunable lift and drag under high Reynolds number conditions, both in aerodynamic and hydrodynamic environments. The goal will be to both rationalize the fundamental principles that underlie the interaction between fluid flow and multi-component morphing structures, as well as then use the gained knowledge to explore implementation in engineering contexts. This activity will be multidisciplinary, at the interface of structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, soft robotics and nonlinear physics.

Your profile: Candidates should have recently obtained or are about to obtain a Ph.D. in Physics, or Mechanical/Civil/Aerospace Engineering, or related disciplines. The project will have a strong experimental component, so experience in laboratory settings is desired, either in fluid or solid mechanics. The following areas of expertise are particularly welcomed: rapid prototyping, micro-fabrication, polymer synthesis, mechanical testing, control/automation/robotics, flow imaging, and image processing. An appreciation for scaling analysis, theory and computation is also welcomed.

We offer: The successful postdoc will join a vibrant, international and diverse research team with interdisciplinary expertise in experimental, computational and theoretical mechanics. The focus of research activity at the fleXLab is centered around curiosity-driven research in the general area of physics and mechanics of soft/compliant mechanical structures. The fleXLab is hosted in the iconic modern building of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and offers unique state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. More information about our research group, including other active research themes, can be found in the following link: https://flexlab.epfl.ch

Opportunities for involvement in the teaching of mechanics-related classes, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, will be provided.  

Applications received by August 20th, 2018, will receive equal consideration.

Warm regards,

Pedro Reis

Professor, EPFL, Switzerland

Institute of Mechanical Engineering

fleXLab: Flexible Structures Laboratory