Staff Research Physicist - Experimental Stellerator Physics

Overview

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory seeks outstanding candidates for a staff position in the area of experimental stellarator physics. The successful candidate will play a leading role in planning, performing and analyzing the results of powder injection experiments on leading international stellarator facilities as part of PPPL’s international collaborations. In addition, numerical modeling activity with both neoclassical, 3D transport, and dust dynamics codes are foreseen in support of the interpretation of the experimental results.

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is a world-class fusion energy research laboratory managed by Princeton University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. PPPL is dedicated to developing the scientific and technological knowledge base for fusion energy. The Laboratory advances the fields of fusion energy and plasma physics research to develop the scientific understanding and key innovations needed to realize fusion as an energy source for the world.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Continue the ongoing powder injection experiment program on the Large Helical Device (Japan) by planning, performing, and analyzing future experiments (35%)
• Extend the stellarator powder injection experiment program to other stellarators, such as W7-X (Germany), leading the installation of the Impurity Powder Dropper, planning and performing the experiments and analyzing the results (35%)
• Maintain the PPPL Dust Injection Simulator code, used for modeling of the stellarator and tokamak powder injection experiments (5%)
• Perform interpretative modeling of the experiments using neoclassical codes, 3D transport codes and dust dynamics codes (15%)
• Publish and present research in peer reviewed journals and at professional conferences (10%)
• The position will be based in Princeton, NJ and the successful candidate will be expected to spend time at international facilities as well as engage in other travel to support the research.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• PhD in plasma physics or similar field is required.
• At least two years of postdoctoral research experience are required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong experience in planning, conducting and analyzing experiments in international facilities
• Experience in organizing hardware construction and installation in a modern fusion facility environment
• Experience in modeling edge and scrape-off layer plasma
• Experience in modeling dust dynamics
• Knowledge of plasma turbulence processes and plasma-wall interaction processes is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• Partial shift of work time is expected to accommodate frequent international collaborations 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.

Standard Weekly Hours

Eligible for Overtime

Benefits Eligible

Probationary Period

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)

Estimated Appointment End Date

Physical Capacity Exam Required

Valid Driver's License Required