There is an immediate opening of a postdoctoral researcher in the Mechanics of Soft Materials Lab (https://www.msm.seas.ucla.edu/) in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The research will be on experimental mechanics of soft materials, and fabrication of soft machines. The successful candidate should have a PhD degree with expertise in experimental polymer materials. Experience on synthesis of hydrogels or elastomers, and characterization of soft materials is preferred.

  The group also has a PhD opening to be filled in 2021 fall, 2022 winter or 2022 fall quarter. The successful candidate is expected to work on modeling, simulations, and experiments of soft materials. The ideal candidates will be highly motivated with a strong background in solid mechanics, and be fluent in spoken and written English.

  Interested applicants may send their CV with three references to Professor Lihua Jin (lihuajin@seas.ucla.edu).

PI介绍

  Lihua Jin is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCLA. She was a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University before joining UCLA in 2016. In 2014, she obtained her PhD degree in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Fudan University in 2006 and 2009. Jin’s group conducts research on mechanics of soft materials, stimuli-responsive materials, soft robotics, and biomechanics. Lihua was the winner of Haythornthwaite Research Initiative Grant from American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2016, Extreme Mechanics Letters Young Investigator Award in 2018, and Hellman fellowship in 2019. 

实验室介绍

  Soft materials are capable of large deformation, and have mechanical properties comparable to those of biological tissues. Recent developments in soft materials are enabling the rise of soft robotics, stretchable electronics, and biomechatronics. Through the integration of analytical modeling, computational simulations and experiment, the Mechanics of Soft Materials Lab aims to investigate the fundamental physics and mechanics of soft materials, such as their constitutive behavior, nonlinear deformation, instability, and fracture. On the other hand, the lab strives to develop new materials, structures, and functions for soft robotics and stretchable electronics. Please visit https://www.msm.seas.ucla.edu/ for more information.