Prof. Dr. Nina Merkert (née Gunkelmann)

Professorship for Computational Material Sciences/Engineering

Curriculum vitae

2007-2012Studied physics with a minor in computer science - TU Kaiserslautern
2012-2014Research assistant at the Chair of Multiscale Simulation - FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg
2014-2015Doctoral studies at the TU Kaiserslautern (scholarship of the SFB 926)
2016Graduation with doctorate: Dr. rer. nat. at the TU Kaiserslautern
2016-2017Post-doc at the Chair of Materials Simulation - FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg
2017Post-doc at the Institute of Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics - TU Bergakademie Freiberg
2017-2024Junior Professor for Computational Material Sciences/Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology (ITM)

Awards and memberships

since 2011Member of the German Physical Society (DPG)
2015Poster prize, Granular Matter in Low Gravity conference, Erlangen
since 2016Member of the Physics Alumni Association of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern
since 2017Highlighted paper, Low-velocity collisions of chondrules: How a thin dust cover helps enhance the sticking probability, Astron. Astrophys. 599:L4
since 2017Member of the German University Association (DHV)
since 2018Member of the Society for Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (GAMM)
since 2018Member of the Clausthaler Förderkreis for Applied Mechanics
2020Adolf Martens Prize for one of the best papers in the field of materials science, materials research and testing

Research project

  • Molecular dynamics simulations and discrete element simulations of heterogeneous materials (from metals and oxides to biomaterials and granular materials) to determine material properties under high mechanical loads, such as cracking and fracture behavior, plastic deformation, compaction and much more
  • Characterization of dislocation structures and plasticity using multiscale approaches
  • Combination of data-driven methods and material science for the optimization and development of different materials with tailored properties

Publications can be found here