Postdoctoral Scholar in Fusion Simulation

Fusion Energy represents one of the grand challenges for humankind, offering the prospect of limitless baseload electricity, an inherently safe configuration, with no significant greenhouse gases or nuclear waste. As a thriving fusion industry develops multiple promising concepts for fusion, it is vital to look ahead to solutions for continuous energy production.

Thus, UCLA seeks to pioneer the steady state tokamak as a concept in its own right, and as a tensioner to drive the development of the many constituent science and engineering components of the challenge, that will drive broader benefits to the fusion field. To this end, UCLA is establishing a Fusion Simulation Center to develop concepts for a compact fusion power plant that integrates foundational discovery plasma science, fusion science and engineering.

The explicit goal is the development of robust and cost-effective configurations overall for fusion in steady state, as well as innovative approaches and advanced solutions in each of the technical fields and systems comprising a power plant. This work will thus serve as an integrating focus of a very broad range of activities across Engineering and Science at UCLA from energy extraction, blanket design, tritium breeding, and materials development to fundamental plasma science and efficient energy-confining plasma configurations.

Thus, the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA seeks outstanding candidates as a postdoctoral scholar in the area of Fusion Simulation.

Key responsibilities

Using simulation suites to develop optimized configurations for fusion power plants or other fusion testbed devices. Writing software modules to address specific facets of this challenge. Undertaking investigations into particular aspects of the power plant solutions (could range from fundamental discovery or fusion plasma science questions to technology aspects such as facets of blanket design or materials behavior, depending on skill of applicant.

Support to other users as needed, including students and student projects in the center. Generate scientific deliverables including journal papers and conference talks. Pursuing collaborative engagement within UCLA and or other key partners to investigate particular issues and approaches. Potentially to engage in, or collaborate with validation exercises such as experimental tests on tokamaks or other testbed devices.

The successful candidate is expected to be able to operate with autonomy and grapple with highly complex technical issues, distilling them down to essential understanding for a working knowledge. Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, 3+ years experience and a demonstrated background directly applicable to the tasks, including experience with fusion simulation activities on the science or engineering side.

Specific understanding of relevant plasma science or fusion technology is essential, but may be weighted to the plasma science and/or fusion technology side. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae; a publication list; a Statement of Research Interests and Future Research Goals, complete a reference check authorization release form, and arrange for 2-3 letters of reference to be uploaded to UCLA Academic Recruit by November 30.