PhD position on computational mechanics (preferably with solid mechanics focus)

Hello,

I have a PhD position available for a project titled " Asynchronous, Parallel-Adaptive Solution of Extreme Multiscale Problems in Seismology" funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The graduate research assistantship (GRA) position is for the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) which is a part of University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK).

This project is conducted in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urabana-Champaign (UIUC). Some of the main components of this project are,

1.Computational meshing in spacetime for 1D x time to 3D x time geometries [UIUC].

2.Novel asynchronous parallel computing algorithms for the solution of hyperbolic and parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) [UIUC].

3.Contact and fracture models for modeling seismic events [UIUC / UT].

4.Pseudo-time and other approaches for the solution of hyperbolic and parabolic PDEs [UT].

The main research task of the student is item 4 and preferably item 3 if the student has a background in solid and fracture mechanics. Otherwise, application areas in thermal / fluid mechanics can be considered for item 3.

The student should have a strong background and interest in all or most of the following areas:

1.Computer programming: Proficiency in C++ programming is highly valued. 

2.Mathematics: familiarity with hyperbolic and parabolic PDEs.

3.Discontinuous Galerkin methods (if not, familiarity with the formulation of continuous finite element methods).

4.Computational solid and fracture mechanics (preferable).

This position will be filled very shortly (ideally starting in Spring 2019 and if not Summer or Fall 2019), so please contact me at the earliest possible.

Interested applicants should send an email to rabedi@utk.edu, directly describing their background in the four areas mentioned above and attached their CV / resume.

For a general overview of the research projects in my group you can refer to http://rezaabedi.info and  http://tinyurl.com/sdgyoutube/.