Computational Designer - Hybrid Living Textiles

About the role

Become a part of an innovative design and research firm that merges the fields of design, technology, and biology to produce groundbreaking products and environments. In this position, you will be responsible for crafting algorithmic processes, predictive models, and automated fabrication systems that integrate living materials with engineered ones. Your work will serve as a vital link between computational design, textile engineering, and synthetic biology, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in these intersecting domains.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop systems that transform computational designs into executable machine instructions, ensuring seamless integration between digital and physical realms.
• Create predictive models that simulate complex material behaviors, such as deformation, drape, and structural responses, to optimize designs before physical production.
• Construct models that emulate biological processes, focusing on aspects like pattern formation, growth dynamics, and cellular signaling pathways.
• Employ computational techniques to sift through vast combinatorial options, refining designs to their most effective iterations.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, and designers, fostering a culture of idea exchange and innovation across various fields.
• Clearly articulate your findings and methodologies, while also maintaining a comprehensive library of processes and tools for team reference.
• Engage in iterative design processes, balancing theoretical modeling with practical testing to validate concepts.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in computational design and synthetic biology, applying new knowledge to enhance project outcomes.

Requirements

• Proficient programming skills in relevant languages and frameworks, demonstrating a solid foundation in computational design.
• Capability to effectively translate concepts and methodologies across the domains of design, engineering, and biology, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.
• A hands-on, empirical mindset for problem-solving, with the ability to discern when to model theoretically and when to engage in practical experimentation.
• A portfolio that highlights your original computational projects and showcases your innovative approach to design challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, enabling you to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• A strong commitment to teamwork, ethical practices, and maintaining integrity in all professional interactions.

Nice to have

• Experience with combinatorial assembly techniques, multicellular behavior, or microbial systems, adding depth to your understanding of biological interactions.
• Familiarity with advanced computational design tools and environments, enhancing your versatility in project execution.
• Previous exposure to interdisciplinary projects that combine design, biology, and engineering, showcasing your adaptability in diverse settings.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in computational design software such as Rhino and Grasshopper, essential for creating complex geometries and designs.
• Experience with knit and textile programming environments, including KnitPaint, Stoll M1 Plus, and Shima Seiki APEX, crucial for textile applications.
• Hands-on experience operating CNC knitting machines (STOLL and/or Shima Seiki) or industrial jacquard looms, providing practical insights into fabrication processes.
• A solid understanding of the physics and mechanics involved in knitted and woven textiles, including fiber behavior and deformation characteristics.
• Familiarity with mechanistic and data-driven modeling of biological or physical systems, such as ODE/stochastic models of genetic circuits and kinetic modeling.
• Knowledge of robotics, CNC systems, and automation technologies for programming and controlling fabrication processes.

Practical notes

• This position requires on-site presence, allowing for close collaboration with team members and hands-on engagement with materials and technologies.
• Candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, adapting to evolving project needs and challenges.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is essential, as the fields of design, technology, and biology are rapidly advancing.

Join Oxman and contribute to a pioneering approach that redefines the intersection of design and biology, where your skills can help shape the future of living textiles.