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
🎓 2002–2003
Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft (Student Research Assistant)
- Research support in publishing, website management of research pages.
⚙️ 2002–2003
Researcher, Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany)
- Conducted thesis research in computational contact mechanics for automotive systems (window-lift motor).
- Delivered simulation insights that contributed to product reliability improvements.
⚙️ 2002–2003
Internship, SKF GmbH (Germany)
- Investigated carburization diffusion in bearings.
- Developed a simulation tool for simulating carburization process of ball bearings.
🎓 2003–2006
Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Metal Research (Germany)
- Conducted pioneering research on metal/ceramic interface fracture.
- Developed early crystal plasticity and cohesive zone models to study multiscale fracture.
- Published foundational papers in International Journal of Plasticity and Engineering Fracture Mechanics.
🎓 2007–2008
Post-doctoral Research Assistant, University of Sheffield (UK)
- Worked on ultrasonic welding processes in aluminium alloys.
- Contributed to highly cited publications (ASME J. Manufacturing Science & Engineering Top 10, 2009).
- Expanded expertise in thermo-mechanical modelling.
🎓 2009–2010
Associate Professor (Contract), NED University of Engineering & Technology (Pakistan)
- Introduced and taught advanced courses in FEM, Stress Analysis, and Vehicle Dynamics.
- Recognised with Best Teacher Award (Automotive Engineering).
- Strengthened academic research capacity in Pakistan.
🎓 2010–2012
Postdoctoral Fellow, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia)
- Led projects on ultrasonic-assisted deformation and multiscale modelling.
- Collaborated with Berkeley and Oxford under prestigious AEA and GMSV awards.
- Published influential works on ultrasonic consolidation, multiscale damage modelling and shape memory alloys.
🎓 2012–2014
Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Design & Manufacturing, University of Strathclyde (UK)
- Advanced research in advanced manufacturing, stress corrosion cracking, and sheet metal forming.
- Taught postgraduate forming technology and machining courses.
- Supervised projects in collaboration with AFRC and EPSRC.
⚙️ 2012–2014
Adjunct Faculty, Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC, UK)
- Delivered large collaborative projects with Rolls-Royce, Boeing, and Timet.
- Led applied research in incremental and press forming of titanium alloys.
- Organised modelling and forming workshops to transfer knowledge to industry.
🎓 2014–2021
Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer), University of Aberdeen (UK)
- Established a multiscale mechanics research programme.
- Secured EPSRC and industrial projects on hydrogen embrittlement, decommissioning, and digital twins.
- Recognised with multiple teaching and supervision excellence awards nominations.
🎓 2021–Present
Reader in Solid Mechanics & Materials / Professor, University of Aberdeen (UK)
- Leading research on structural integrity of pipelines, hydrogen energy, and advanced alloys.
- Over £3M external research income (Chevron, Shell, NZTC, EPSRC, Boeing, NMIS).
- Institutional leadership roles: Employability & Skills Champion, Deputy Programme Lead, Industrial Advisory Board Lead.
- Founder of Professor 3MEC platform to democratise computational mechanics education.
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
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