Research Associate

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The Department of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University is seeking a Research Associate for the Reprogrammable metamaterials research project under the supervision of Professor Damiano Pasini.

This role will contribute to the analysis, design, fabrication, and testing of mechanical metamaterials.

This is a unionized position, and the incumbent will be a member of the AMURE (Research Associates and Assistants) bargaining unit.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze and design optimize metamaterial unit cells and lattice architectures with tunable or switchable mechanical properties, including multistable, origami/kirigami-inspired and stimuli-responsive designs.
• Develop analytical and computational models (e.g., finite element analysis, discrete/reduced-order models) to predict nonlinear mechanical behavior, instabilities and reconfiguration pathways.
• Fabricate prototypes using additive manufacturing (multi-material 3D printing, laser cutting) and other fabrication techniques.
• Plan and conduct mechanical experiments (quasi-static and dynamic testing, digital image correlation) to characterize and validate metamaterial performance.
• Investigate actuation and programming strategies using mechanical, thermal, magnetic or electrical stimuli.
• Analyze data, interpret results and compare experimental findings with theoretical predictions.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and contribute to grant proposals and reports.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in the design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of reprogrammable mechanical metamaterials.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Physics or related fields.
• At least five (5) years of research experience.
• Strong background in solid mechanics, multiscale theory, nonlinear elasticity, structural stability and buckling.
• Proficiency with finite element software (e.g., ABAQUS, COMSOL or ANSYS) and scientific programming (Python or MATLAB).
• Knowledge of mechanical metamaterials, architected materials or soft/smart materials.
• Experience with mechanical testing equipment and experimental data analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

Hourly Salary:

$35.37

Hours per Week:

20 (Part time)

Location:

Macdonald Eng. Bldg.

Supervisor:

Professor

Position Start Date:

2026-10-09

Position End Date:

2026-12-31

Deadline to Apply:

2026-10-22

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.