Open Positions
The currently open positions in our lab are described below.
Open Ph.D. Position in Computational Brain Biomechanics
A fully-funded Ph.D. position is available in the Soft Materials Mechanics research group of Dr. Kshitiz Upadhyay starting in Fall 2024. Dr. Upadhyay’s research group focuses on developing cutting edge experimental characterization and computational modeling capabilities for understanding the mechanics of soft materials for biomedical applications. The Ph.D. student hired for this position will work on developing computational models to study the biomechanical properties of the human brain and traumatic brain injuries, leading to research publications in top-tier journals and presentations at international conferences. The working environment will be highly supportive and collaborative. Research will be conducted at the Patrick F. Taylor Hall (virtual tour).
Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields. Preference will be given to candidates with a master’s degree or those with undergraduate research experience.
• A strong understanding and/or experience in at least one of the following: (i) the finite element method, (ii) nonlinear solid mechanics, (iii) brain biomechanics, and (iv) data science and machine learning.
• Preferred computational experience: ABAQUS and MATLAB/Python.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Application Instructions:
Motivated and interested candidates are encouraged to send an email with the title, “Prospective Ph.D. student – Fall 2024”, to Dr. Upadhyay at kshitizu@lsu.edu with the following information: (i) CV; (ii) Unofficial transcripts; (iii) A short letter of interest (limit to one-page) describing relevant experience, interest, and fit for the aforementioned research. For more details on the research project or any other inquiry, feel free to contact Dr. Upadhyay at kshitizu@lsu.edu.
Why Join Us?
Our research is at the forefront of mechanics:
Our students develop cutting edge experimental characterization and modeling capabilities in mechanics of soft materials. Their research contributes to tackling problems that have significant and lasting implications on wide ranging areas, from human health and diseases to aerospace and robotics. Our research environment is highly collaborative.
We are part of an elite research university:
LSU is the Flagship University of the State of Louisiana. Among the elite top 1% of research universities in the USA, LSU is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) at LSU is the largest department in the College of Engineering and hosts several key national research centers, including (1) The Louisiana Materials Design Alliance (LAMDA), (2) The NSF Industry/University Collaborative Research (I/UCRC) Center for Innovation in Structural Integrity Assurance (CISIA), (3) The P41 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for BioModular Multi-scale Systems for Precision Medicine as a partner to the University of Kansas, (4) the NSF CREST Center for Next Generation Multifunctional Composites as a partner to Southern University, and (5) The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NCAM), a partnership between the State of Louisiana and NASA. Notably, the computational research efforts at the MIE department benefit from the formidable high-performance computing capability and relevant scientific research ecosystem of the Center for Computation and Technology (CCT).
We care for our students:
By joining our laboratory, you join a vibrant LSU graduate community of nearly 7,000 students investing in their professional development at the highest level. LSU offers some of the highest stipends available in the Southern USA to its graduate students, which is the result of a commitment to a growth of over 35% over prior levels and marks a major investment in scholarship.