Post-Doctoral Associate
About the Job
Post-Doctoral Associate
Mechanics, Statistical Physics, and Disordered Materials
Professor Hudson Borja da Rocha is seeking a post-doctoral associate to join his research group in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. The position will focus on research at the interface of nonlinear mechanics, statistical mechanics, and disordered materials. Central themes may include mechanical instabilities, localization, fracture and damage, collective response in heterogeneous systems, and how material, geometric, or multiphysical disorder controls emergent mechanical behavior.
The postdoctoral associate will have substantial independence in developing theoretical, computational, and experimentally connected research directions while working with Professor Rocha, students in the group, and collaborators across mechanics, materials, and physics. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed and subject to completion of the University hiring process.
Position Duties
80% Research
- Develop analytical, computational, and reduced-order models for problems in nonlinear mechanics, statistical mechanics, and disordered or heterogeneous mechanical systems.
- Investigate how material heterogeneity, geometric disorder, loading conditions, or multiphysical effects influence collective response, localization, failure, and critical behavior.
- Design and interpret numerical studies and, where appropriate, help connect theory and computation with experiments, data, or validation studies.
- Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, technical reports, and material for research proposals.
10% Mentoring and Research Coordination
- Work collaboratively with graduate and undergraduate students in the research group through technical discussions, code/model review, and manuscript development.
- Coordinate with internal and external collaborators across mechanics, materials, physics, and related areas.
- Contribute to a rigorous and well-documented research workflow, including shared code, simulation data, figures, and project notes.
10% Group and Professional Citizenship
- Participate in group meetings, one-on-one meetings with Professor Rocha, departmental seminars, and relevant professional development or training sessions.
- Maintain responsible conduct of research and follow applicable University safety, data, and collaboration policies.
- Contribute to an inclusive, collegial, and intellectually ambitious research environment.
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