Elecciones en SEMNIj

Estimados compañeros:

Como sabéis estamos en proceso de formalizar la Sección de Jóvenes de SEMNI (SEMNIj). Todo ello empezó con la ilusión de dinamizar SEMNI a través de iniciativas enfocadas a los más jóvenes y dotarles de cierta autonomía dentro del seno de SEMNI. Una vez encaminada SEMNIj, el grupo actual a cargo va a dimitir para dar paso a uno nuevo democráticamente elegido. Por ello, en breve, iniciaremos un proceso para escoger Presidente de SEMNIj, la sección de jóvenes de SEMNI. Para ello, los interesados en presentar su candidatura deben enviarnos la siguiente documentación antes del próximo 31 de marzo de 2024:

·         Un video de 60s explicando su candidatura y dándose a conocer.

·         (MAX) 2 páginas A4 con una presentación suya y de lo que querrían hacer.

Una vez recibidas las candidaturas iniciaremos el proceso de renovación con la idea de tener al nuevo presidente elegido antes del próximo congreso de Aveiro. Recordad que los requisitos para presentarse son:

·         Tener menos de 40 años durante el mandato (4 años).
                                                              o
·         Haber defendido su primera tesis doctoral en los últimos 7 años.

Tenéis las bases de la sección e el siguiente link:
https://semni.cimne.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Reglamento-seccion-de-jovenes.pdf

Cualquier duda, no dudéis en contactar a Enrique Nadal ().

Un saludo,

SEMNIj

Two post-doc positions at the University of Zaragoza

2 Postdocs position on physics-informed AI
 
In the context of the ESI Group-UZ Chair of the Spanish National Strategy on AI, we are looking for two highly skilled postdoctoral researchers to join the chair in the following two topics:

AI-powered mechanics of materials

One of the challenges of nowadays industry is to be able to accurately introduce the observed behavior of complex materials into high-fidelity simulations. In this framework, plasticity and damage play a fundamental role. Our thermodynamics-informed neural networks are an appealing choice for the incorporation of theoretical inductive biases to the learning process of complex constitutive equations including plasticity and damage.

Accelerating simulation by Artificial Intelligence

One of the biggest appeals of physics-informed neural networks relies in the possibility of developing learned simulators. Learned simulators are particular instances of simulation systems that are constructed not by discretization of the governing PDE—which may even be unknown—but by learning from data.
In this project, the objective is primarily to speedup complex parametric simulations. The typical example of such a simulation is a detailed crash test.

The successful candidates will join a dynamical and interdisciplinary team with a world-class network of collaborators towards:
• Creating the next-generation physics-informed AI techniques
• Develop advanced numerical methods and algorithms required to address cutting-edge scientific multidisciplinary problems
• Deploy state-of-the-art, open-source software that will be used on a daily basis by a wide range of researchers and industries around the world to advance science.

Required Qualifications

• Strong skills in phyton programming, preferably with a strong background in PyTorch
• Knowledge and previous experience in the development of physics-informed AI
• Ph.D. in computer science, computational mathematics, computational physics, or computational engineering. 
• Experience and understanding of numerical methods for partial differential equations.
• Enthusiasm for programming, learning, problem-solving, and tracking other library trends
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, in particular in English
• Strong background in computational solid and fluid mechanics
• Experience in finite element programming

You will have access to state-of-the-art computing facilities, a generous travel allowance for conferences and specialized training, and will be given the freedom to develop your own ideas and collaborate within the group and with other groups. These positions are designed so as to allow you to grow your abilities as a research advisor, by directing and collaborating with our doctoral students, under the supervision of profs. Cueto, González and Alfaro.

Besides Skype interviews, it is possible to arrange on-site visits to the lab and the campus in Zaragoza. 

The preferred starting date is June 2024 (or as soon as possible). We offer a two-year contract.
Interested applicants are encouraged to send a CV as soon as possible with a list of up to 3 references and a very concise statement describing your past research/technical experience and your interests. This and specific inquiries should be addressed to Elías Cueto ().

News from SEMNI’s young investigator section

The young investigator section of SEMNI opens a new chapter in its history. After the CMN 2022 Congress held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a group of young people started working on its reorganisation in order to offer a more active space oriented to the needs of new researchers. In this post we want to share the first advances in this change.

The aim of this renovation is to make a young section with a variety of activities that resonate with the diverse interests of young people in the field of computational mechanics. Our aim in this new phase is to broaden our range of options to provide opportunities that motivate and inspire every member.

In these first steps we have prioritised the definition of our mission and objectives, as well as the updating of our foundations. In addition, it has been given a new name in order to have its own identity: SEMNI_j.

This update has materialised in a renewal of the space of this section on the SEMNI website, where we invite you to browse to learn a little more about the brief history of SEMNI_j, the current management team that is carrying out these first changes, and the regulations.

We want these changes to inspire the new additions, and that little by little we will be building together a strong and inspiring youth section. Therefore, we will soon call for elections to formalise the first official executive of the youth section in a democratic and fair way. Young researchers, promise of the future of this organisation, we are waiting for you!

 Call for Expressions of Interest to organise the 2024 UKACM-SEMNI Autumn School 

Dear UKACM and SEMNI members, 

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic research groups to organise the 2024 UKACM-SEMNI Autumn School focusing on theoretical aspects of computational mechanics combined with hands-on practical activities. The 2024 UKACM-SEMNI Autumn School aims to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and skill development among professionals, researchers, and students in the field. 

This initiative follows the successful organisation of the first UKACM Autumn school in 2023 on Mixed finite element formulations in solid mechanics by the Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre. 

Interested parties are invited to submit an expression of interest (maximum 2 pages) to both the UKACM and SEMNI presidents, outlining: 

  • Their background and expertise in Computational Mechanics. 
  • Their vision and objectives for the proposed Autumn School. 
  • The proposed theme and potential speakers. 
  • The hands-on activities. 

Selected organisers will be responsible for: 

  • Developing a comprehensive online course that aligns with the latest developments in the field. 
  • Inviting and securing commitments from expert speakers and instructors. 
  • Coordinating logistics, including scheduling, platform selection, and technical support. 
  • Promoting the event to ensure broad participation. 
  • Facilitating hands-on and interactive sessions. 

Submission Deadline: 2nd February 2024 

A committee of UKACM and SEMNI executive committee members will evaluate the expressions of interest based on relevance, hands-on activities, and the organisers’ ability to deliver a successful event. Priority will be given to proposals that include teams from both societies. 

The selected organisers will be notified by 23rd February 2024. The Autumn School is expected to be an online event with no registration fee, to be held during the last two weeks of September 2024 and have a duration of 2 to 4 days. 

We believe that this Autumn School will be a catalyst for knowledge-sharing and collaboration between UKACM and SEMNI. We look forward to receiving your expressions of interest and working together to create a meaningful and impactful event. 

Sincerely, 

Rubén Sevilla, UKACM President, Elías Cueto, SEMNI President,  

Convocado el premio Juan C. Simó 2024

La Sociedad Española de Mecánica e iNgeniería computacIonales (SEMNI) convoca el Premio Juan Carlos Simó para jóvenes investigadores correspondiente al año 2024. Este premio se otorga cada año a investigadores en la fase inicial de su carrera investigadora con una trayectoria académica sólida, un historial de publicaciones de calidad significativo y potencial de liderazgo.  La lista de premiados en convocatorias anteriores está disponible en este enlace

Consulte las bases de esta convocatoria aquí.

Convocado el premio a la mejor tesis doctoral defendida en 2023

La Sociedad Española de Mecánica e iNgeniería computacIonales (SEMNI) convoca el Premio SEMNI a la mejor tesis doctoral del año 2023. 

Las bases de esta convocatoria pueden consultarse aquí.

ECCOMAS EYIC Grant

ECCOMAS acaba de crear la nueva ECCOMAS Young Investigator Committee (EYIC) Grant, cuya información os remitimos adjunta por si fuera de vuestro interés:

Dear ECCOMAS Members,

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of the ECCOMAS Young Investigators Committee Grant (EYIC Grant) for 2023/2024. This grant supports young researchers in computational mechanics and applied mathematics.

Key Details:
                • Biennial call, one project funded per cycle.
                • Eligibility: Up to 5 years post-PhD, affiliated with ECCOMAS, active at universities or non-profit institutes.

Funding:
                • 24-month grant, max budget 15,000 EUR.
How to Apply:
Submit by Feb 1 2024 to  with subject «ECCOMAS Young Investigators Committee Grant – 2023/2024.» Details and templates in the attached call and online at https://www.eccomas.org/2023/11/10/the-eccomas-eyic-grant/

Benefits:
                • Independence from PhD advisor.
                • Research group initiation.
                • International visibility boost.

Seize this opportunity to advance your research career.

Best regards,
The ECCOMAS Young Investigators Committee

Positions at UPC-BarcelonaTech

Ph.D. and Postdoc positions on mathematical and computational modeling of living matter

We have a 4-year FPI fellowship for a Ph.D. and a Postdoctoral position in the area of mathematical and computational modeling of living matter. The candidates will be involved in the mathematical and computational modeling of structural and regulatory modules toward autonomous biological systems.

The candidates will be supervised by Marino Arroyo (UPC, CIMNE, IBEC) and Pablo Sáez (UPC) in the research program “Cell and tissue mechanobiology” of the LaCàN at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Application deadline: the official deadline is Oct 31st, 2023, but you are strongly encouraged to contact  or  as soon as possible with a presentation paragraph, a CV, and transcripts.

Starting date: Fall 2023

Located in the city of Barcelona, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is one of the largest technical universities of the southern EU, with over 30,000 students spanning all levels from undergraduate to PhD, and employing over 2,500 faculty. Within UPC, the LaCàN research center develops new mathematical and computational models to enable quantitative and predictive science and engineering, specifically in the field of cell and tissue mechanobiology.

Postdoc/Scientific programming engineer in high-performance computational mechanics

The group on “Mechanics of soft and living interfaces” (https://www.lacan.upc.edu/mechanics-of-soft-and-living-interfaces/) led by Professor Marino Arroyo (https://www.lacan.upc.edu/arroyo/) located at the UPC in Barcelona and affiliated to CIMNE and IBEC is seeking a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher or scientific programming engineer to join a software development team and contribute to our in-house C++ high-performance, finite element library called hiperlife. Hiperlife focuses on efficiently and flexibly solving coupled partial differential equations (PDE) on time-evolving surfaces, possibly coupled to bulk PDE, to understand a variety of highly nonlinear multiphysics problems arising from the analysis of thin shell structures, cellular meta-materials, shape-morphing interfaces, and cell and tissue mechanobiology. Our library is based on the Trilinos project and aims at making advanced mathematical models, highly sophisticated computational technologies, and high-performance computing easily accessible to a wide range of scientists and engineers interested in interfacial problems.

The successful candidate will join a dynamical and interdisciplinary team with a world-class network of collaborators towards:

• Creating the next-generation open-source software for interfacial multiphysics problems (focusing on mechanobiology) across platforms, from desktops to supercomputers

• Develop advanced numerical methods and algorithms required to address cutting-edge scientific multidisciplinary problems

• Deploy state-of-the-art, open-source software that will be used on a daily basis by a wide range of researchers around the world to advance science.

Required Qualifications

• Strong skills in C++ programming and in Unix-like operating systems

• Ph.D. in computer science, computational mathematics, computational physics, or computational engineering. Applicants with a pertinent MS and sufficient experience will be considered.

• Experience and understanding of numerical methods for partial differential equations.

• Demonstrated software development expertise (e.g., active github account, successful projects, or documented open-source contribution)

• Enthusiasm for programming, learning, problem-solving, and tracking other library trends

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, in particular in English

• Understanding of computer systems, programming language constructs, and design patterns

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with high-quality software practices (test-driven development, documentation, software review processes, and cross-platform support).

• Experience with linear algebra libraries (Trilinos/PETSc)

• Experience with large-project build systems (e.g. CMake)

• Familiarity with revision control systems (e.g. git)

• Experience with MPI or multi-threaded programming

• Understanding of the finite element method

Candidates lacking some of the required qualifications but with a strong motivation to expand their expertise will be considered.

You will have access to state-of-the-art computing facilities, a generous travel allowance for conferences and specialized training, and will be given the freedom to develop your own ideas and collaborate within the group and with other groups.

Besides Skype interviews, it is possible to arrange on-site visits to the lab and the campus in Barcelona. The starting date is flexible during the autumn of 2023. We offer initially a one-year contract, with the possibility of extending it based on the candidate’s performance.

Interested applicants are encouraged to send a CV as soon as possible with a list of up to 3 references and a very concise statement describing your past research/technical experience and your interests. This and specific inquiries should be addressed to Marino Arroyo () and Pablo Sáez () with “Postdoc/Scientific programming engineer-2023” in the subject line.

Located in the city of Barcelona, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is one of the largest technical universities of the southern EU, with over 30,000 students spanning all levels from undergraduate to PhD, and employing over 2,500 faculty. Within UPC, the LaCàN research center develops new mathematical and computational models to enable quantitative and predictive science and engineering, specifically in the field of cell and tissue mechanobiology.

Workshop AI for Computational Mechanics

The next December 1st, 2023, a one-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence for computational Mechanics will be held at the Universidade da Coruña. For more information and registration, please see:

https://shark-fv.eu/ai4cm/

Foreword. SEMNI newsletter

Dear members of the SEMNI community,


it is a pleasure for me to offer you the first issue of the SEMI newsletter. With biannual periodicity, we intend this newsletter to be a means to bring the activities of our society to the members and sympathizers, both Spanish and international. The newsletter will be written in English, given the large number of sympathisers we have in the IACM community, and the growing number of researchers in training who, with foreign origin, are doing their doctoral thesis in the field of computational mechanics and engineering in our country.


In this first issue, the newsletter includes a summary of the congress on Numerical Methods in Engineering, held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in September 2022. The conference was a success and I would like to thank David Greiner and the whole group from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for their organisational work.

On the other hand, the newsletter includes a summary of the activities carried out by the SEMNI Young Researchers section. Our young people form a very dynamic community and I would like to thank them for all the work done to bring SEMNI closer to our younger members.


Finally, the newsletter includes a contribution from Dr. Iulen Cabeza, the last SEMNI prize winner for the best thesis of 2022. Dr Cabeza’s work deals with the modernisation of the behaviour of the human cornea. I am sure you will enjoy the application of computational mechanics to such a fascinating field.


I hope you enjoy the newsletter. We are open to publish collaborations from our members that serve to bring the activity of our community closer to the rest of our members and supporters. Do not hesitate to send us your contributions.


Best regards and best wishes for a well-deserved rest during the summer holidays, which are just around the corner.

Elías Cueto, president.