We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow with a background in solid and structural mechanics to work on the mechanics of slender and flexible structures. Some experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence will be helpful. At the very least, the candidate should be good with computer programming (ideally C/C++ and Linux environment). The postdoctoral fellow will be supervised by Prof. M. Khalid Jawed (Structures-Computer Interaction Laboratory of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and will collaborate with another research group(s) at or outside of UCLA.

The research project aims to use a combination of (1) discrete differential geometry-based simulations and (2) tabletop experiments using collaborative robots (our lab is equipped with two Sawyer robots). The simulation tools build on prior works in the field of computer graphics. Potential topics may include the mechanics of knots tied in elastic rods, machine learning-based constitutive behavior, smart manufacturing (in collaboration with Smart Manufacturing Institute, UCLA), inverse design of flexible and/or programmable structures, etc.

Applications should be emailed to khalidjm@seas.ucla.edu. Please submit the following documents as a single pdf: (i) one-page cover letter (including names of at least two referees), (ii) detailed CV, and (iii) two sample publications. Applications received by December 1, 2021, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.