Duke University, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Position ID:
Position Title:
Research Scientist
Position Type:
Other
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States of America
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
2025/09/04 11:59PM
** (posted 2025/08/27, listed until 2025/09/04)
** (posted 2025/08/27, listed until 2025/09/04)Position Description:
Position Description
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries. The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest-rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society. Occupational Summary Classification created to permit compensation to individuals performing scientific research on Campus and in the Medical Center using University facilities without detailed supervision. The use of this classification is reserved for those who have either received a doctorate or have demonstrated equivalent professional attainment. This classification is administered on Campus through the Office of the Provost and in the Medical Center through the Office of the Chancellor for Health Affairs. It is not subject to the Wage and Salary system. Work Performed Position request for a short-term, part-time research scientist to complete computations and analysis for a project on digital metamaterials. This project involves use of finite element simulations, collaboration with experimental researchers, and integration with FAIR data and AI principles. The research scientist will utilize existing computational and experimental results for both a digitally thermally activated polymeric metamaterial and a multiphase 3d printed metamaterial. Knowledge of viscoelasticity, fundamental solid mechanics, finite element analysis, and metamaterial principles is essential. Primary responsibility will be to participate in completing research activities on these mechanical metamaterials, collaborating with colleagues, and completing a journal publication on the findings. The work will involve physics-based finite element simulations of metamaterial structures, work on analysis methods to understand relations between structure and properties, and documenting new insights to scientific discovery in this novel material platform. In addition, the research scientist will perform multi-objective optimization of the designs to obtain configurations with desired storage and loss moduli, integrating simulation outputs with performance targets to guide experimental design. The project will involve the research and writing itself, presentation of results at group meetings and conferences, writing reports/proposals/manuscripts for funding agencies and journals, and collaborating with members of the group. Minimum Qualifications Successful candidate will have a PhD in mechanics and materials domain. Education/Training PhD in mechanics and materials domain. Experience Deep experience with finite element simulations, and published expertise in mechanical metamaterials. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following item online at this website to complete your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info:
919-660-5359
Duke University
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Box 90300
Durham, NC 27708
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Box 90300
Durham, NC 27708