PhD In Mechanics Of Nonlinear And Nonrecipocal Metamaterials

Company Description University College Dublin (UCD) is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, combining undergraduate education, graduate training, and innovation within a vibrant academic community. As Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, UCD hosts over 33,000 students from 144 countries and maintains a strong international faculty. UCD is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide and is placed 118th in the QS World University Rankings. The university is Ireland’s leader in graduate education, with a substantial cohort of research and PhD students supported by structured doctoral programs and a research-led culture. UCD’s broad disciplinary strength and modular, outcomes-based curriculum foster interdisciplinary study and impactful research that contribute to Ireland’s social, cultural, and economic development.

Role Description This is a full-time, on-site PhD position in Mechanics of Nonlinear and Nonreciprocal Metamaterials based in Ireland at University College Dublin. The candidate will conduct original research on the theoretical, numerical, and/or experimental mechanics of metamaterials, with a focus on nonlinear behavior and nonreciprocal phenomena. Day-to-day activities include developing and analyzing mechanical models, running simulations or laboratory experiments, processing and interpreting data, and validating results against state-of-the-art literature. The role involves collaborating with supervisors and research teams, preparing publications and conference presentations, and contributing to project reports and grant deliverables. The candidate will also engage with UCD’s structured PhD training, including relevant taught modules, seminars, and professional development activities, and may support teaching or mentoring responsibilities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in mechanics and materials, ideally with prior study or experience in solid mechanics, continuum mechanics, structural dynamics, or related areas.
• Experience with analytical and numerical modeling, such as finite element analysis, multi-physics simulations, or computational mechanics tools (e.g., COMSOL, Abaqus, ANSYS, or similar).
• Background or strong interest in metamaterials, wave propagation, nonlinear dynamics, or related advanced topics in mechanical or materials engineering.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or comparable languages and tools).
• Demonstrated research skills, including literature review, problem formulation, experimental design or simulation setup, and critical evaluation of results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to document research clearly and prepare scientific papers and presentations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team, as well as independently manage time, milestones, and research objectives.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline; an