Postdoc in fracture and advanced inter-disciplinary solid mechanics at Northwestern University, Evanston, working with Professor Zdenek P. Bazant

The postdoctoral fellow will work principally but not exclusively on a DoE funded multi-university project aimed at solving a variety of problems of CO2 sequestration in deep geologic formations. It will involve prediction of growth of hydraulic fracture network in porous rock, poromechanical stress transfer due to fluid diffusion, osmotic pressure gradients, and chemically expanding inclusions. Ramifications to various fracture problems of concrete, fiber composite structures and shale strata, supported by NSF, may be pursued. Development of an effective and physically realistic computational technique to control spurious damage localization while allowing lateral crack branching will be part of the research effort. Analysis of big data for verification and calibration, along with advanced experiments, might be involved. Another problem of interest to ARO might be predictions of failure loads of architected materials with extremely low tolerable failure probability. Some of the research may build on relevant recent papers posted on www.civil.northwestern.edu/people/bazant/PDFs/publicat.pdf. The aforementioned efforts would likely lead to results with lasting impact. The new postdoc would join a cooperative and deeply motivated group of highly competent researchers.

Requirements: Excellent proficiency in mathematics, solid and structural mechanics and computer programing. Familiarity with fracture mechanics, the theory of probability and statistics, poromechanics, diffusion and nanoscale physics of materials. Solid mastery of English is expected.

Submit application before January 5, 2024, to andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu. Include your CV and your list of publications. Describe your relevant experience. Transcripts of graduate and undergraduate courses with grades are welcome.