Scientist – Boundary Particle Transport @ Commonwealth Fusion Systems

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as a Scientist - Boundary Particle Transport

The CFS Tokamak Operations group is searching for a scientist with expertise in the fields of fueling and/or impurity transport in the edge and scrape-off-layer.

CFS is preparing to operate the SPARC tokamak, which aims to achieve break-even in its early campaign and up to Q=11 in later campaigns. The results from SPARC’s experimental campaigns will inform the design of the first ARC fusion power plant, which is currently being designed.

SPARC and ARC will operate at unprecedentedly high absolute densities, temperatures, and unmitigated heat fluxes. This will have a significant effect on the edge and scrape-off-layer, changing where main ions are ionized, how impurities (both low and high Z) are transported in the SOL and screened in the pedestal, the sources and sinks of sputtered particles, and the dynamics of neutral gas during gas injection and pumping. CFS is searching for a scientist who can help to predict these effects on SPARC and ARC via a combination of numerical modeling and extrapolation of results from existing devices. The principal goal is to inform scenario design and real-time-control algorithms, and to interpret experimental results as they become available.

Candidates are encouraged to apply from a diverse range of backgrounds and with varying levels of experience. A PhD in plasma physics or related field is required. Other useful skill sets include demonstrated excellence in the fields of tokamak scrape-off-layer physics, either numerical or experimentally, and in particular for the challenging fields of particle fueling and impurity transport.

What you’ll do:

Work closely as part of the boundary physics and operations team at CFS to predict and interpret particle transport in the edge and scrape-off-layer
Develop high-fidelity models for predicting edge and scrape-off-layer particle and impurity transport and fueling for planning SPARC operations
Inform real-time-capable models of particle and impurity transport and fueling for the SPARC plasma control system
Manage, maintain, and compare to numerical high fidelity modeling results from various codes for plasma/neutral interaction and material migration
Work with the SPARC diagnostics set to develop inverse models for material migration/sputtering
Develop and manage international collaborations focused on fueling and particle transport relevant to SPARC and ARC

What we’re looking for:

PhD in plasma physics or related field
Demonstrated expertise in particle fueling and/or impurity transport in the SOL of tokamaks or other fusion-relevant experiments
Demonstrated expertise in developing (analytical or numerical) models and validating these with experimental results
Experience working in rapidly evolving projects and adapting to change
Thorough background knowledge of research and literature in magnetic-confinement fusion

Bonus points:

Experience applying models to describe edge and SOL/diverter physics for detachment
Experience interpreting particle exhaust or transport experiments from tokamaks
Collaborative software-engineering skills (i.e. using git, code review, CI/CD)
Experience managing collaborative technical projects

Essential Requirements:

Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
#LI-Hybrid

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.

Scientist – Boundary Particle Transport

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

What you’ll do:

What we’re looking for:

Bonus points:

Essential Requirements:

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

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