Postdoc position in Advanced Computational Design of Metamaterials (CodeMeta) at SDU Sønderborg

The Faculty of Engineering of the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position in Advanced Computational Design of Metamaterials (CoDeMeta). The candidate will be offered the exciting opportunity to investigate into the multiscale modelling and design methods, multifunctional and multiscale materials and structures, and additive manufacturing of piezoelectric meta-materials. This project will finally establish a platform for advanced computational design of metamaterials, for both research, education and technology application purposes, and thus the candidate will be also involved in supervising graduate students. 

The position is available from July 1, 2025.

The application deadline is April 1, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Unique opportunity

The SDU Smart Structures and Manufacturing Group at the Centre for Industrial Mechanics (CIM) is a recently established research group at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME). IME is continuously developing its fairly new Mechanical Engineering Degree and laboratories to support the educational activities as well as its research and commercial activities. Therefore, the candidate will have the unique opportunity to influence the further development of both the research group and IME. 

Workplace description

IME covers innovation, research and education spanning from fundamentals to applications of engineering science. All our courses are taught in English reflecting the fact that more than half our students and staff are internationals. The Smart Structures and Manufacturing Group is located at SDU's beautiful campus in Sønderborg, in the inspiring building of Alsion, which is a centre for science, culture and learning in the heart of Sønderborg and perched on the strait of water separating the island of Als from the mainland. The university has very close relations to the industry in Sønderborg, Southern Denmark and Northern Germany, among others. This CodeMeta project is based on the front-edge theories of multiscale modelling and design of meta-materials, while it also aims at practical applications in industry such as energy harvesters, sensors and ultra-light structures.

Research project in which the successful candidate will be involved 

Metamaterials have been a promising solution to the light-weight and multifunctional designs of many engineering components in fields of airflights, vehicles and green energy, to reduce the energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission and harvest energy for the mission of green transition. This leads to the emergence of various metamaterials with high strength-to-density ratio, excellent energy absorption performance, energy harvesting and sensing functions and other multifunctionalities. However, design of metamaterials still relies on experience guided trial-and-error (or brainstorming) strategy. The main reason behind is that metamaterials are assemblies of numerous cells produced by additive manufacturing, and thus their macro-scale responses are dominated by meso-scale cells and micro-scale patterns. To overcome this challenge, the CoDeMeta project will establish an advanced computational design platform for metamaterials, whereby concurrent multiscale modelling and optimization methods will be further developed for applications to various types of multifunctional metamaterials.

Job description

The successful candidate will:

• carry out the technical, dissemination and management activities related to the CoDeMeta project
• be able to be involved in the daily supervision of Ph.D., Master and Bachelor students working on similar scientific topics
• have to publish their work in scientific journals with high impact
• be able to assist in teaching activities
• be engaged in funding applications.

Profile and requirements

The successful candidate must have:

• a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanics, or similar
• good fundamental in solid mechanics, finite element method and Multiphysics theories
• strong background in multiscale modelling and/or design of multifunctional materials and structures (experience in developing the direct finite element square (DFE²) method is strongly preferred)
• experience in using finite element software such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, Calculix and so on, as well as scripting of the software such as developing user-elements and user-materials
• experience in conducting mechanical experiments and using 3D printers 
• great capacities to work both in team and independently
• strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written

Contact information

For further information, please visit www.sdu.dk/en/ime and contact Assistant Professor Pei Li (Tel: +45 65503547, Email: [email protected]) or Associate Professor Lars Duggen ([email protected]).

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material. You must include the following documents in English: 

• a letter stating the interest, motivation and qualifications for the CoDeMeta project (max. 2 pages)
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae, including personal contact information, describing research, along with any other relevant information, e.g., teaching experience, computational skills, experimental experience, etc.
• a complete list of publications
• 3 most relevant publications (PDF-format) in which the applicant wishes to rely on (preferably the applicant being the first author)
• a complete list of the exams taken during both the BSc programme and the MSc programme
• the verified copies of official Certificates/Diplomas (BSc, MSc and Ph.D.).

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’. 

Documents must not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB. 

The application deadline is April 1, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Conditions of employment

Appointment as postdoctoral researcher is temporary and for an initial 2-year period. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

The preferred starting date is July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment.

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser. 

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. Further information on salary and taxation.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position. 

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.