POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), to carry out fundamental and applied research supporting the SPARC and ARC tokamaks, two devices expected to lead to deployment of fusion as an economic energy source. The work will focus on the study and impact of relativistic “runaway” electrons that can emerge in various plasma scenarios such as start-up and disruptions. Will conduct simulations with state-of-the-art MHD and/or kinetic codes, evaluating runaway electron phase space evolution, confinement, and interactions with a runaway electron mitigation coil; and interface with several teams to inform how runaway electrons impact integrated modeling efforts, diagnostic design and implementation, and SPARC operations. Will also make original research contributions to the PSFC program, produce work for publication, present work at scientific conferences, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Job Requirements
REQUIRED: Ph.D. in plasma physics or closely related field; broad knowledge of tokamak physics; experience conducting original scientific research and publishing in scientific journals. We seek someone who can communicate effectively and enjoys working in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment with staff and students from MIT, other universities, national laboratories, and private industry. PREFERRED: experience with nonlinear MHD and/or kinetic simulations, especially in the area of disruption physics (examples of such codes include M3D-C1 and DREAM), excellent programming skills, and knowledge of programming language such as Python and/or Fortran. Job #23629
In addition to applying via the MIT website, applicants are asked to email (with RE Postdoc Application in the subject line) a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Cesar Clauser at cclauser@mit.edu.
This position is eligible for visa sponsorship.
The initial appointment is for one year but is renewable for an additional year based upon satisfactory performance.
Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.