About Me
I am a Reader/Professor of Mechanical Engineering with over 20 years of experience in multiscale mechanics, computational modelling, and materials science. My passion lies in bridging fundamental research with industry applications from aerospace alloys to hydrogen energy and offshore structures. Beyond academia, I mentor the next generation of engineers and create accessible tools through my Professor 3MEC platform.
Professional Affiliations & Fellowships
Senior Fellow, Advance HE, UK
National recognition of excellence in higher education teaching and learning.
Chartered Engineer, UK
Professional registration demonstrating the highest standards of engineering competence.
Fellow, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK
Recognition as a leading mechanical engineer contributing significantly to the profession.
Fellow, Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, UK
Acknowledgement of expertise and leadership in materials science and engineering.
Education & Qualifications
PhD (Dr.-Ing.)
Mechanical Engineering
2006
MSc
Computational Mechanics
2003
BEng
Mechanical Engineering
1998
PG Certificate
Advanced Academic Studies
2014
Career Path
Student Research Assistant
• Supported research publication workflows
• Managed and updated lab research webpages
Researcher
• Computational modelling of automotive contact mechanics
• Delivered simulation insights for product reliability
Intern
• Investigated carburization diffusion in bearings
• Developed a simulation tool for carburization processes
Research Fellow
• Worked on metal/ceramic interface fracture
• Developed early crystal plasticity and CZM fracture models
• Published foundational research in IJPlasticity & Eng Fracture Mech
Post-doctoral Researcher
• Investigated ultrasonic welding processes in aluminium alloys
• Contributed to highly cited publications, including ASME J. Manufacturing Science & Engineering (Top 10 in 2009)
• Expanded expertise in thermo-mechanical modelling of manufacturing processes
Associate Professor (Contract)
• Taught advanced courses in FEM, Stress Analysis, and Vehicle Dynamics
• Received Best Teacher Award (Automotive Engineering Department)
• Strengthened departmental research capacity in computational mechanics
Postdoctoral Fellow
• Led research projects in ultrasonic-assisted deformation and multiscale modelling
• Collaborated with UC Berkeley and Oxford under prestigious AEA and GMSV awards
• Published influential work on ultrasonic consolidation, damage modelling, and shape-memory alloys
Lecturer / Assistant Professor in Design & Manufacturing
• Conducted advanced research on stress corrosion cracking and sheet metal forming
• Taught postgraduate courses on forming technology and machining
• Supervised industry-linked research projects with AFRC and EPSRC
Adjunct Faculty
• Developed FE and crystal plasticity models for forming and machining processes
• Worked with industry partners to optimise process parameters for aerospace alloys
• Supported EPSRC-funded programmes on forming technologies
Reader / Professor of Solid Mechanics, Materials and Structures
• Lead research in computational mechanics, hydrogen–materials interaction, and offshore structural integrity
• Awarded and delivered major research projects (>£3M) with EPSRC, Chevron, Shell, NMIS, and international partners
• Provide leadership as Deputy Programme Lead and Employability & Skills Champion, mentoring students and early-career engineers
• Developed innovative engineering tools and global outreach through the Professor 3MEC platform
Beyond research and teaching, I enjoy cricket, mentoring ambitious students, and developing new ways to make engineering knowledge accessible worldwide.
Research Themes & Expertise
Computational Mechanics & Simulation
Developing advanced finite element and crystal plasticity models to predict deformation, fracture, and failure across scales.
Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
Industry-focused research on forming, residual stress, and additive manufacturing, delivered with partners like Rolls-Royce and Boeing.
Hydrogen–Materials Interaction
Exploring hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking in steels and alloys to enable safe hydrogen transport and storage.
Offshore Structural Integrity
Predictive models for pipeline safety, corrosion, and decommissioning in challenging offshore environments, with Chevron, Shell & NZTC.
AI in Materials & Engineering
Applying machine learning to materials modelling and structural integrity, and creating AI-powered engineering tools.
Publications and Funding Track Record
Elsevier - Most cited articles published in mechanics of materials
Elsevier - Science direct top25 hottest articles
ASME Top10 Hot Articles
Book Chapters
Research Impact
Ranked within world top 2% scientists with highest impact 2020-21 and 2021-22
Stanford University & Elseivier
Knowledge exchange and commercialisation Award Grant 2020
University of Aberdeen
Awards & Achievements
Excellence in Leadership Award Nomination 2022
University of Aberdeen
Teaching Excellence Award Nomination 2016, 2021, 2022
University of Aberdeen
Research Supervision Excellence Award Nomination 2022
University of Aberdeen
Best Teacher Award in Automotive Engineering 2010
NED University
Max Planck Research Fellowship 2003-06
University of Stuttgart
Session Chair UKACM 2016
UKACM Conference Cardiff, UK
Management & Leadership
Advisory Board Member Sense Digital Ltd
Founder Professor 3MEC
Deputy Programme Lead
UG Mechanical Engineering, University of Aberdeen
Member of Advanced Manufacturing Thematic Leadership Group
Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering & National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
Member Hydrogen Theme Steering Committee
Energy Transfer Partnership (ETP) Scotland
Member of Employability & Entrepreneurship Committee
University of Aberdeen
Editorial & Reviewer
- Book Reviewer: Taylor & Francis Group, CRC Press
- Editorial Board: Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (JMET)
- Proposal Reviewer: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Leverhulme Trust, Netherlands Organisation of Scientific Research (NWO), The Research Council (TRC) Oman, KFUPM Deanship of Research KSA
- On the reviewer board of several international research journals
Professional Memberships
- Member UKACM UK Association of Computational Mechanics , 2013-17
- Member ASME The American Society of Mechanical Engineers , 2007-08
Recent Committees & Conference Organisation
- Scientific Committee Member for International Workshop on Computational Mechanics 28 of Materials (IWCMM28), Glasgow, UK, 2018.
- Technical Programme Committee Member of Conference on Computational Materials Science and Thermodynamic Systems (CMST2018), Cambridge, UK, 2018.
- Organiser of EPSRC sponsored one-day symposium/workshop on Multiscale Mechanics of Deformation and Failure in Materials at University of Aberdeen, 2016.
Feedback & Reviews
Below are some of the feedback and reviews from my students and collaborators. For more reviews and feedback, please checkout my linkedIn profile.
“Dr Siddiq acted as my academic supervisor for my Renewable Energy Engineering MSc. I am very grateful for his support and expertise in Abaqus software, FEA and Wind Energy. Without his help I would not have been able to successfully complete me dissertation project.”
Harry Goodson
RWE Renewables
“I’ve had the pleasure of working on projects with Dr Amir during his courses in both “Subsea Integrity” and “Pipelines” at Aberdeen University. Above all, I was impressed by his ability to break down problems using basic and simple engineering mechanics. That skill often takes years to develop, and won’t be possible if not for his extensive knowledge in academia and expertise in the subject matter.”
Muhammad Hamizan
Baker Hughes
“I have known Amir for almost 10 years now and had the opportunity to collaborate with him during my Project work in University of Strathclyde. We worked together investigating the formability of Aluminium alloys by Incremental Sheet Metal Forming (ISF) process by experimental and Finite Element (FE) analysis. Based on the work, we could publish four peer reviewed publication. He was always available for discussion on the project topics despite his busy schedule in University. His knowledge in FE modelling of materials deformation from nano-scale to multi scale is extremely good. The results he produced during the project work were of highest quality in deformation and failure in ISF produced parts and their fracture initiation during forming.”
Rahul Bhattacharya
Ametek