Positions for Ph.D. students

The Nanomechanics and Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) seeks Research Associates (MS/Ph.D. students) for research on the nanoscale mechanics of MEMS and nanostructured composites with carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. The project on composites involves analytical/numerical and experimental studies in polymer-matrix nanocomposites and the mechanical interaction between individual nanotubes and the surrounding matrix. The project on MEMS mechanics focuses on the fracture and fatigue of materials for MEMS and thin films. Successful applicants will be trained on experimental nanoscale mechanics methods developed at NMRL.  Prior experience in nanocomposites fabrication, numerical and experimental studies of the mechanical behavior of nanostructured materials, and microfabrication of MEMS is desired but no necessary. Please send your resume including a list of any publications (students with MS. degrees) to: chasioti@uiuc.edu

General Opening
Graduate students with background in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Applied and Engineering Physics, or Materials Science are sought for Ph.D. research in the general areas of mechanics and materials, MEMS, nanocomposites, and nanotechnologies. Depending on the research area, knowledge in programming, finite element modeling, digital signal analysis, electronic materials microfabrication and characterization can be important.
 
Research in the Nanomechanics and Materials Characterization Laboratory involves application of state-of-the-art in micro- and nanoscale mechanical characterization methods, operation of AFMs and micromanipulators, signal processing, development of interfaces in LabVIEW and Visual Basic, fractographic and chemical microanalysis in Scanning Electron (SEM) or Transmission Electron (TEM) Microscopes. Graduate research at NMRL includes thorough preparation in the general field of nanoscale mechanics to assist  graduates with the rapidly evolving technological challenges.

College of Engineering   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign