PhD Studentship: Multiscale Physics of Deformation and Failure in Polymer Networks

The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford is offering a 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship supervised by Professor Laurence Brassart. The project focuses on developing a coarse-grained discrete-network model to investigate time-dependent deformation and failure in soft materials like elastomers and hydrogels. The successful candidate will employ statistical mechanics and stochastic thermodynamics to build physically grounded descriptions of viscoelasticity and chain scission. Expectations include conducting theoretical and computational research, comparing predictions with experimental and molecular simulation data, and actively contributing to the Brassart Group's objectives.

• Develop a mesoscale modelling framework for predicting time-dependent deformation and failure in polymer networks
• Design and implement coarse-grained discrete-network models representing complex network architectures
• Formulate physically grounded descriptions of viscoelasticity and time-dependent chain scission using statistical mechanics
• Validate model predictions against existing experimental data and molecular simulations
• Collaborate with group members and contribute to academic publications and research reports