The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory seeks to fill an Associate Research Physicist position based at DIII-D (San Diego, CA) to work on diagnostics related to, and physics behind particle and thermal transport in the H-mode pedestal. The research will largely center around major upgrades to the main ion charge exchange recombination spectroscopy system. This will include hardware upgrades to the spectrometer systems to meet an evolving set of measurement needs, including spectrally resolved passive D-alpha measurements for plasma fueling studies. Additionally, several advanced analysis techniques such as machine learning will be deployed to improve the analysis and fitting of several years of historical data. This set of main ion and neutral measurements will be used along with DIII-D pedestal diagnostics to improve a multichannel based understanding of particle and thermal transport in the H-mode pedestal.

 

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.

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory seeks to fill an Associate Research Physicist position (postdoctoral level) to work on and develop spectroscopic diagnostic systems and use these new capabilities along with existing state-of-the-art measurements and modeling to study the physics of pedestal particle and thermal transport on the DIII-D tokamak at San Diego, CA. The successful candidate will propose, design and lead DIII-D experiments, leveraging the existing and to be developed diagnostic capabilities, in close collaboration with the edge & boundary, and burning plasma physics groups at DIII-D as well as physicists at PPPL and collaborating institutions. The role involves development of spectroscopic diagnostics, advanced data analysis techniques (i.e machine learning) to interpret the raw data, and experimental analysis of particle and thermal transport based on data from the main ion charge exchange recombination spectroscopy diagnostic. Tasks will include interpretive transport modeling of the heat and particle fluxes using time-dependent simulation codes such as TRANSP to obtain the relevant fluxes for comparison with collisional and turbulent transport modeling.

 

Core Duties: 

• Design, testing, and installation of upgrades to the main ion charge exchange recombination spectroscopy system (MICER).
• Improve the analysis techniques for the raw data from the MICER diagnostic to make them more routine, robust, and rapid. This involves both the fitting of the spectrum and forward modeling of the atomic physics behind the measurements.
• Proposing experiments to test hypotheses and participating in new experiments on DIII-D and internationally as needed.
• Operation and calibration of the DIII-D’s MICER, including involvement with the CER group and being one of the people who runs the charge exchange systems during DIII-D experiments.
• Modeling key datasets from recent DIII-D experiments, simulating and predicting novel plasma scenarios, using cutting-edge computing resources at PPPL and collaborating institutions.
• Validating data sets and developing insights that can be tested experimentally.
• Disseminating results in the form of talks, posters, and refereed journal articles.

Education and Experience: 

• Ph.D in plasma physics or related fields.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The candidate must have excellent diagnostic development and computer skills, with experience in running simulation codes a plus.
• Experience with plasma spectroscopy and/or optical spectroscopy techniques is highly desired.
• The existing code base is written using python and C++ so familiarity with these languages is advantageous.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques, and strong experience working with experimentalists in large research teams on fusion facilities will be beneficial.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in plasma simulation with experimental application, in particular edge transport analysis codes.
• Experience with tokamak pedestal stability and transport is highly desired.

 

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.

40.00

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180 days

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Princeton University-Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) 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
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PPPL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by Princeton University. The 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.
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