We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to undertake an ambitious computational mechanics research programme in support of a recently-awarded ERC Advanced Grant. The project aims to develop a robust simulation methodology for fracture in heterogeneous (partially) fluid-saturated porous media, both for existing faults and for propagating cracks.

The postholder will be expected to lead the research in pillar 2, including the coaching (together with the supervisor) of a PhD student who will work in this pillar. The research has a strong computational mechanics component, and will also require implementation of the advanced discretization technologies, including those based on splines, in modern software, for the analysis of fracture and crack propagation in porous media.

The main responsibilities of the role include:-

• The development of discretization technology based on splines, including, but not limited to, isogeometric analysis, which can handle propagation of cohesive cracks in fluid-saturated porous media, for arbitrary domains and for arbitrary discretizations, which is capable of modelling fluid pressure driven crack growth, and is localised at the crack and naturally embedded in the surrounding porous medium.
• Working together with the Research Associates and PhD students working on pillars 1 and 3 in order to align the spline technology with the sub-grid models for fluid flow in cracks developed in pillar 1 and the stochastic models developed in pillar 3. Assisting these Research Associates and PhD students in any discretization issue encountered by those pillars of the project.
• Dissemination of the research findings through journal publications, contributions to books, and presentations.

It is essential that candidates have a good PhD in computational mechanics (or equivalent experience), experience in putting computational models in working software and with object-oriented programming and advanced discretization techniques.

Salary as stated with potential to progress to £40,847 per annum.

This post is fixed term for a period of 3 years.