"PhD position: Modeling friction in colloidal suspensions"

PhD position: Modeling friction in colloidal suspensions

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

At the Professorship of Solid Mechanics (SMEC) in the Institute for Building Materials at ETH Zurich, we aim to understand how materials deform, degrade, break, and ultimately fail. Our research is driven by curiosity about the physical mechanisms that underlie failure and by the ambition to translate this understanding into more reliable and resilient materials and structures. By combining numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses, we seek to link microscopic processes with the macroscopic behavior of both engineering and natural systems and develop predictive tools for mechanical failure.

Our team is highly interdisciplinary and international, bringing together researchers with backgrounds in materials science, mechanics, and applied physics. We work across a broad range of topics, including the mechanics of particle systems (colloidal and granular), architected and topologically interlocked materials, the mechanics of fragility in collagen, the mechanics of earthquakes, fracture of soft materials, and modeling failure in multiphysical processes such as corrosion-driven degradation of concrete. What unites these efforts is a shared curiosity about why complex materials fail and a commitment to developing new concepts, experiments, and models that advance our understanding of failure mechanics.

We are seeking a motivated, innovative PhD student with a background in computational mechanics to work on a project focused on the mechanics of colloidal systems. The PhD candidate will conduct research in a collaborative project with partners from the ETH Department of Materials to uncover the roles of sliding and rolling friction, and their combination, in the rheological properties of colloidal suspensions.

Job description

• You will conduct a computational and theoretical investigation of the influence of inter-particle friction on the rheology of concentrated suspensions
• The work will focus on applying physics-based models that connect behavior across scales, from the geometry of single colloidal particles to the macroscopic response of the suspension
• Your responsibilities include implementing coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and performing rigorous verification and validation using datasets provided by our collaborators
• The candidate will work in close collaboration with experimental researchers within the project, providing modeling insights and helping to interpret experimental observations
• The position provides a stimulating environment for scientific growth and collaboration

Profile

• You hold an MSc degree in mechanics, physics, (civil, mechanical, aerospace, or bio-) engineering, material science, or a related discipline
• You have a background in computational sciences with a focus on solid mechanics, applied physics, or a related field
• You have experience implementing scientific code, validating it, and verifying it against experimental data
• You have prior programming experience in Python and have used version control
• You are curious, self-motivated, and enjoy collaborating closely with experimentalists
• You are fluent in English (oral and written).
• You enjoy working in a team, possess the necessary social skills and communication abilities, and contribute proactively to a positive group atmosphere

Workplace

We offer

• You will join a dynamic, international, and supportive research group that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration.
• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.

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We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

The position is available with a flexible start date, possibly as soon as possible.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• an academic transcript/list of courses completed
• a brief statement describing your project idea relevant to the job description, making a connection to your experience and the related work from the literature
• the names and contact details of two references

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the professorship can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. David Kammer by email dkammer@ethz.ch (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.