Open positions at the University of Vermont

I am looking for Postdoctoral researchers and PhD students for two funded research projects at the University of Vermont. U.S. Citizenship is not required; international students are encouraged to apply.

Project 1: Nonlinear Wave-Based Exploration of Jointed Structures
Bolted and riveted joints are the main source of damping and nonlinear behavior in aerospace frames, yet conventional high-fidelity models spend most of their computational effort on the linear members. We are reversing that paradigm. In this research, elastic members will bee represented by known wave solutions, eliminating their computational burden, while each joint will be described by its nonlinear, frequency- and amplitude-dependent reflection and transmission (scattering) of incident waves. See the first picture below for more details. Funded by the National Science Foundation, award 2545811.

Project 2: Bandgap Control of Elastic–Plastic Wave Propagation for Lightweight Ballistic Protection
It is well-known that phononic crystals and locally resonant metamaterials can block elastic waves within designed-for frequency bandgaps. Very recently, my research group has shown (both theoretically and experimentally) that high-amplitude elastic-plastic waves can also be blocked by frequency bandgaps, and thus prevent damage from impact-like loads from reaching critical regions of a structure. See the second picture below for more details. This follow-on research will develop theoretical and experimental means for exploring local resonance mechanisms as an additional source of bandgap behavior, and will optimize metamaterial systems for use in protective structures. Funding is both internal and anticipated from the Army Research Office. 

Ideal candidates for these positions will have a background in mechanical or aerospace engineering, applied mechanics, or applied mathematics, with interests in wave propagation, structural dynamics, and nonlinear vibrations. Experience with perturbation methods (e.g., multiple scales), MATLAB/Python, or finite element analysis is a plus. 

Interested postdoctoral researchers and prospective PhD students are encouraged to inquire about these opportunities by email me at michael.leamy [at] uvm.edu (michael[dot]leamy[at]uvm[dot]edu). Please include a statement of interest, relevant background, and a resume.