Doctoral student in Physics-Encoded Neural Network material modeling

Understanding and modeling material behaviour is central to many engineering challenges.  This fully funded Doctoral student project, “Material Model Discovery from Physics-Encoded Neural Networks”, aims to discover material models that give unprecedented accuracy and computational efficiency, enabling engineers to fully exploit the potential of materials. This Doctoral student position offers the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary research setting at the Division of Computational Mechanics and Materials Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, in a collaborative and welcoming academic environment. About us  The Department of Industrial and Materials Science shares knowledge and their vision of technical solutions for the future industry in a sustainable society. Through excellent research, innovation, and education, we contribute to the development of future industrial value chains.  In the division of Computational Mechanics and Materials Engineering, we foster an inclusive, friendly, and helpful work environment to which we welcome you to contribute. Our activities focus on the modelling of the mechanics of structures, components, and processes along with involved materials, thus providing mechanics-based solutions and virtual solution tools to our engineering challenges. About the research project   When adopting new high-performance materials to build stronger, lighter, and more sustainable parts, we need constitutive models that accurately describe how these materials behave to utilize their full potential. However, their complex behavior under demanding operating conditions presents a significant modeling challenge. This project addresses that challenge by combining machine learning with constitutive modeling, while ensuring adherence to physical laws. Although the primary focus is on large plastic deformations, the developed methods will be broadly applicable for modeling both mechanical responses and other physical processes. Together, we will address three key challenges in combining constitutive modeling and machine learning: how to ensure adherence to physical constraints when enhancing complex constitutive models with neural networks; how to extract interpretable equations from these models; and how to train them when experimental data is scarce. Solving these challenges will accelerate research and adoption of new high-performance materials. Who we are looking for The following requirements are mandatory: • To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Applied Mechanics, Structural Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Mathematics/Physics, or similar. • Experience in computer programming. • Knowledge in solid mechanics and FEM (including programming thereof). • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. *for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.  The following experience will strengthen your application:  • Courses in machine learning • Experience from research projects What you will do • Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Solid and Structural Mechanics at Chalmers. • Pursue your own doctoral studies related to the project • Develop and implement material models, finite element codes, and calibration procedures. • Disseminate research both via journal publications, and via presentations at international conferences and for industrial partners. • The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours Contract terms   • The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.  • The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.  • A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).  • Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.  What we offer  • As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about  working at Chalmers  and our benefits for employees.  • A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.  • Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.  Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.  If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in. Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.   Application procedure  For information about the application procedure, please refer to the advert on Chalmers' webpage. We welcome your application no later than February 18th, 2026.  For questions, please contact:   Assistant Professor Knut Andreas Meyer (knut.andreas.meyer@chalmers.se) We look forward to your application!  *** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***    Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.  Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.