The Mechanics of Robotic Metamaterials Group at the department of Mechanical Engineering in the University of Birmingham, UK, led by Dr. Mingchao Liu, is recruiting one PhD student for the fall of 2024. The group is also open to joint PhD students and visiting scholars. Additionally, they offer support to outstanding postdoctoral candidates in applying for fellowships.
Dr. Liu's research group at the University of Birmingham focuses on theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies in the fields of Robotic Metamaterials and Shape-morphing Structures. Their research directions include, but are not limited to:
1. Analysis of nonlinear mechanical behavior of elastic slender structures.
2. AI-assisted design of soft robots.
3. Design of multi-stable shape-morphing structures.
4. Design of programmable mechanical metamaterials.
Candidates with backgrounds in mechanics, mechanical engineering, applied physics, or applied mathematics are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to those with a Master's degree, although exceptional undergraduate students will also be considered. Ideal applicants should have experience in theoretical analysis of elastic structures, numerical simulations, AI algorithms, and in 3D printing and mechanical testing. Successful candidates will be recommended for the application of school scholarships, covering tuition fees and providing a living allowance. Applications from self-funded students are also welcome.
The language requirement is TOEFL (minimum scores: 80 overall, with 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in speaking, and 19 in writing) or IELTS (minimum score: 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any band).
Interested students should contact Dr. Liu before February 20, 2024, and submit their CVs to m.liu.2 [at] bham.ac.uk (m[dot]liu[dot]2[at]bham[dot]ac[dot]uk).
Dr. Mingchao Liu (刘明超) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham. He earned his PhD in Mechanics from Tsinghua University in 2018. Before joining the University of Birmingham in June 2022, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford and Nanyang Technological University. His main research areas include the nonlinear mechanical behavior of elastic slender structures and their applications in the design and modelling of robotic metamaterials. Dr. Liu has published over forty papers in prestigious journals and has received numerous awards. His group maintains close collaborations with top global universities. For more information, visit his group's webpage: https://mingchaoliu.com/.
The University of Birmingham, founded in 1825 and located in Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, is renowned as one of the world's top universities. It is the first 'Red Brick University' in the UK, receiving a royal charter from Queen Victoria in 1900. A core member of the Russell Group and the Global Universities Research Alliance, as well as a founding member of Universitas 21, the university has produced 11 Nobel laureates and three UK prime ministers. It ranks 84th in the 2024 QS World University Rankings and 89th in the 2023 U.S. News World University Rankings. The university is known for its research-oriented approach, covering a wide range of fields and achieving significant research outcomes.