We are building a research team in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Bombay to explore fundamental and applied problems in wave-material interactions, engineered materials, and wave-based sensing and perception. We welcome curious and motivated researchers who enjoy combining fundamental thinking with computation, experiments, and data-driven approaches. If these problems excite you, we would be happy to hear from you.
Current Openings
PhD Students
We welcome applications from students interested in pursuing doctoral research in areas related to wave physics, mechanics, engineered materials, structural dynamics, nondestructive evaluation, and wave-based sensing and perception. Students with backgrounds in aerospace, mechanical, civil, electrical engineering, applied physics, or related areas may find opportunities in the group. Depending on the research problem, projects may involve analytical and computational modeling, experiments, signal processing, optimization, and machine learning.
Please refer to the IIT Bombay PhD admissions process as well as aerospace department-specific guidelines. Prospective students interested in working with our group are encouraged to review our research. Please specify "Structures" as your specialization in your application form.
Do you have questions about what a Ph.D. looks like in our group? Read the FAQs below. For any other questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Ganesh Patil directly.
Postdoctoral Researchers
We are open to hearing from exceptional candidates and are happy to work with you to apply for external funding. Potential funding opportunities include the IIT Bombay Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship (IPDF) or the ANRF National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF). Candidates interested in pursuing either fellowship are encouraged to contact Prof. Ganesh Patil to discuss potential research directions before applying.
M.Tech & B.Tech Students
IIT Bombay students interested in research projects, thesis work, or other research opportunities with the group are welcome to get in touch. Projects can span computational, experimental, and data-driven aspects of our research. Before contacting us, please explore the Research and Projects pages and identify the problems or directions that particularly interest you.
What We Look For
We value curiosity, strong fundamentals, independence, and a willingness to learn. Our research often crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, and we encourage students who are comfortable asking questions, exploring unfamiliar ideas, and learning new theoretical, computational, or experimental tools as their research demands.
Prior experience in every aspect of our work is neither expected nor required. A strong interest in the underlying problems and the motivation to develop the necessary skills matter more. You will be given mentorship, guidance, and space to grow professionally.
What kind of research does the group work on?
Our group works broadly on wave propagation, i.e., how waves are generated, travel, and interact with materials and structures. Note that we work primarily on mechanical waves. This leads us to problems in nondestructive evaluation, defect detection and imaging, vibration reduction, ultrasound sensing, and navigation. The emerging topic of phononic materials and metamaterials is also a major part of our research. We approach these problems through a mix of computational modelling, experiments, and data-driven methods. Read more about our research, projects, and publications here.
What background do I need to join?
A background in aerospace or mechanical engineering is a natural fit for much of our work. A good understanding of undergraduate-level vibrations, wave physics, and solid mechanics provides a strong foundation. Experience with finite element analysis, neural network models, or experiments involving sensors such as accelerometers and transducers is a plus, but not a requirement.
Do I need to arrive with a research problem already identified?
Not necessarily. If you already have ideas or directions you are interested in pursuing, I would be happy to discuss them. Funded projects usually have a broadly defined scope and objectives, but we can work together to find questions that also align with your interests. Research problems often evolve during a Ph.D., so you don't need to have everything figured out at the beginning.
How are Ph.D. research topics chosen?
I usually have several research ideas and ongoing or proposed projects across the different areas our group works in, from metamaterials to nondestructive evaluation. Available funded projects will be updated on the group webpage periodically. I like to discuss a student's interests, background, and suitability for different problems, and we then choose a Ph.D. research direction together.
What is your approach to advising / how often do you meet students?
My advising approach is flexible and varies with each student. I generally meet students individually every week to discuss research progress, challenges, and next steps. We also have weekly group meetings for broader discussions, professional development, and periodic research presentations. These meetings are also a space to practice communication skills and prepare for conferences and other presentations.
I believe advising is a two-way effort - as a student becomes more engaged and invested in their research, I try to match that with even greater support and involvement from my side. At the start of your Ph.D., I will be more closely involved in guiding your research, but you will be given increasing independence as your research progresses.
Can I work across multiple areas or collaborate with other groups?
Certainly. Some Ph.D. topics are naturally interdisciplinary, while others are more focused. For example, a metamaterials project may combine design and wave mechanics, while ultrasound sensing could involve wave mechanics, bio-inspired approaches, and data-driven models. If you develop an interest in another area or see an opportunity to collaborate, bring it up in our meetings, and I will do my best to help make it possible.
How do you help students with their career goals?
I encourage students to think about their career goals early in their Ph.D., and we discuss what they might need to get there. While each student is ultimately responsible for shaping their own career, throughout the Ph.D., we can plan together and look for opportunities - research, conferences, collaborations, skill development, and others - that can help build a strong profile for their chosen path. I strongly encourage my students to apply for relevant awards and fellowships they are eligible for. I am also happy to put you in touch with my network whenever needed.
I am interested in joining. What should I do?
Please follow the PhD admission application process on the IIT Bombay website. There are also some guidelines on the departmental webpage. If our research interests you, feel free to get in touch with Prof. Ganesh Patil to discuss potential research directions and opportunities in the group.
Contact
Prof. Ganesh U. Patil
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Powai, Mumbai 400076
India
Office: AE 201-E
Email: gupatil@aero.iitb.ac.in