Department   PPPL Plasma Science and Techno
Category   Research and Laboratory
Full-Time / Part-Time   Full-Time

Overview

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.

PPPL is seeking a full-time scientist to participate in experiments on the Lithium Tokamak Experiment – β (LTX-β), with a focus on magnetic diagnostics, equilibrium reconstructions, MHD analysis, and plasma control. This position is at the rank of Associate Research Physicist (equivalent to a postdoctoral fellow), but more experienced applicants may be considered for a staff position at the RM2 level.

LTX-β is a medium scale, neutral beam heated, low aspect ratio tokamak designed to explore the modifications to edge and core plasmas in regimes of very low wall recycling, using solid and liquefied lithium plasma-facing components (PFCs). LTX-β is currently the only tokamak in the world designed to investigate liquid lithium PFCs. The research goal of LTX-β is to determine whether anomalous transport in tokamaks can be reduced to very low levels by the elimination of instability drivers such as electron and ion temperature gradients.

We are seeking a researcher with a broad background in experimental toroidal physics, to support a wide range of confinement and edge physics investigations on LTX-β. In particular, experience with magnetic diagnostics, and equilibrium reconstruction, is highly desirable. The applicant will have responsibility for all magnetic diagnostics on LTX-β, and is expected to participate in tokamak operations, as well as data acquisition and analysis. The near term LTX-β research focus is an investigation of confinement and transport as a function of global recycling in a low-aspect ratio tokamak. Studies will be extended to negative triangularity configurations in the next few years of operation, in order to reduce the drive for the trapped electron mode. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to develop her or his own line of research on LTX-β.

Responsibilities

Experimental physics – magnetic diagnostics, tokamak operations, data acquisition, plasma control, MHD analysis

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• PhD in plasma physics or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Experimental plasma physics, data acquisition systems, data analysis, knowledge of tokamak or toroidal confinement physics.

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.