PhD student or Postdoc position in “Multiscale biomimicking: Impact energy absorption” f/m/div

The mission of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung is to understand and design nanostructured materials down to atomic and electronic scales. In this spirit, we conduct basic research on structural and functional materials, mostly metallic alloys, embracing synthesis and processing, characterization and properties, as well as their response in engineering components exposed to real environmental conditions. We work interdisciplinary, with intense mutual stimulation among experimentalists and theoreticians as well as among different groups and departments.

The Department Structure and Nano-/Micromechanics of Materials (Prof. G. Dehm) offers a

absorption” f/m/div

We are looking to hire a PhD student or Postdoc in the field of Mechanical Engineering/Biomaterials/Materials Science to work on structural and mechanical evaluation of the musk ox skull from mesoscale down to nanoscale with a focus on impact energy absorption and mimicking the motif of impact regions in metal using additive micromanufacturing, as part of the DFG Weave Lead agency project - MIMIC.

You will investigate at several length scales the unknown impact mitigation mechanisms in ovibus moschatus allowing this animal to survive repeated high energy impacts. This investigation will involve a series of tasks: i) Determination of hierarchical structural and chemical features in the musk ox skull (optical microscopy, SEM, EDS/WDS) ii) Assessing the role of humidity on the viscoelastic properties of bone at a variety of time scale (ex situ mesomechahnical experiments) – Done in collaboration with Dr. Jakob Schwiedrzik's group at Empa, Switzerland, iii) Determine the structure-mechanical property relationships of the impact keratin layer using in situ micromechanical experiments (inside SEM and possibly TEM) and iv) Finally, use these investigations to identify a template to construct artificial mesoscale metamaterial architectures from polymer/ceramic/metal combinations, which can withstand high energy impacts without failure at high strain rates – to be conducted in an intense collaboration with Dr. Jakob Schwiedrzik's group at Empa, Switzerland. You will disseminate the outcome of your research in the form of scientific publications and present them at international scientific conferences.

PhD student : You have a Masters degree with good to excellent marks in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomaterials, Nanotechnology or a related field and you would like to work on challenging problems in Nano- and Micro-Mechanics and Materials Science. The work requires high level of experimental skills and analytical mind set for interpreting the measured data. Through your studies, you acquired in- depth knowledge of mechanics of materials, optical microscopy, CAD designing, and preferably some knowledge about deformation processes in biomaterials and metals at the micro- and nano- scales. Having previous publication experience and a technical profile with hands-on sample fabrication techniques, experimental mechanical/material science testing ( ex situ or in situ ), and/or electron microscopy is highly advantageous.

Postdoc : You hold a doctoral degree with very good to excellent marks in Mechanical Engineering, Biomaterials Materials Science, Nanotechnology or a closely related field. You also have an excellent publication record, focussed primarily on hard biomaterials and small-scale experimental mechanics. You have designed custom experimental setups and are knowledgeable with hands-on methods development for complex micro/nanoscale in situ experiments. Previous research experience specifically related to in situ SEM and TEM based mechanical/materials science experiments, biomaterial characterization and small scale sample preparation/analytical techniques are highly advantageous.

The working language at our institute is English; excellent proficiency in English to communicate effectively on scientific topics is required.

The group “Nanomechanical instrumentation and extreme nanomechanics” aims at pushing the boundaries of small-scale mechanics. We aim at unravelling the properties of materials at micro- and nano-scales under application-relevant, yet unexplored, loading conditions of high strain rates, impact and high/cryo temperatures.

You will benefit from the department's excellent access to bleeding-edge experimental infrastructure and intellectual resources, along with plenty of possibilities for personal and professional development in a highly interdisciplinary environment.

PhD positions are typically limited to 3 years, with the possibility to extend if the scientific progress and funding permits. PhD students need to register at the Ruhr Universität Bochum as a doctoral student.

The Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Deadline for application: June 5, 2023 Expected starting date: As soon as possible

The Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Dr. Rajaprakash Ramachandramoorthy, Group Leader – Nanomechanical instrumentation and extreme nanomechanics, Group Leader – Materials science of additive manufacturing, Department of Structure and Nano-/Micromechanics of Materials

Tel: +49 (0) 211 6792 467 Website: www. mpie.de/xnano