The Materials Modeling Group (Prof. Malik Wagih), launching February 2026 in the Department of Materials at ETH Zurich, invites applications for PhD positions starting June 2026 or by mutual agreement.
We develop computational methods to accelerate materials discovery through defect engineering, with a focus on extreme environments. Application areas include fusion reactors, hydrogen systems, and space applications. We combine theory, physics-based simulations, machine learning, and autonomous workflows to understand and design materials that can perform under conditions where conventional materials fail.
Job description You will:
- Develop and apply physics-based and data-driven methods to tackle fundamental challenges in materials design
- Projects span defect thermodynamics and kinetics, coarse-graining across time and length scales, machine learning from small and multi-fidelity datasets, and autonomous discovery workflows.
- You will collaborate with experimentalists at ETH Zurich and beyond, and play an active role in shaping a new research lab
Profile - Master's degree (or 4-year bachelor's) in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- Proficiency in programming and scientific computing
- Prior experience or coursework in density functional theory, molecular dynamics, or machine learning is advantageous
- Effective communication skills in English
- Interest in metals and alloys
- Interest in collaborating with experimentalists
We offer - Fully funded position with competitive salary according to ETH standards
- Access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure
- Interdisciplinary and international research environment
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