This research opportunity invites applicants to join an active team of researchers with a mission to perform basic and applied research in (a) developing and characterizing new material systems with multifunctional capabilities (e.g., structural plus functional) of interest to Navy, DoD, and the broader materials community, (b) developing novel manufacturing or processing protocols that induce new functionalities (not present in raw materials) and enable integration of materials at multiple length scales, and (c) developing in-situ or ex-situ testing capabilities to characterize the mechanical properties of new and existing materials and  their interfaces and monitor their fracture and fatigue behaviors. Successful candidates will participate in on-going research projects and develop new research directions.

The current research programs focus on 1) modeling and characterizing dynamic adhesion of elastomer at micro- and nanoscale, 2) pneumatic and thermal actuation of polymer membranes, 3) transfer printing of 1D or 2D nanomaterials, and 4) additive manufacturing and diffusion bonding of aluminum alloys. Desired skillsets for candidates include 1) mechanical-material design & testing at multiple scales (nano to macro) and/or multiple physics (structural + thermal, electrochemical, etc.) such as tensile, compression, bending, fatigue/fracture, and dynamical mechanical analysis, and especially, in-situ MEMS/NEMS mechanical devices or in-situ nanoindentation, 2) adhesion-based transfer printing using elastomer, in particular, instrumentation development and dynamic adhesion modeling, and 3) AM of aluminum alloys and post-processing. The following additional skills will be a plus: 1) micro- and nanofabrication experience in cleanroom and 2) computer programming for experimentalists like Python, Matlab, Labview, etc. 

key words

process-structure-property relationships; materials characterization; in-situ mechanical testing; microstructure; joining; additive manufacturing; transfer printing; nanomaterials; adhesion

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants