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Associate Research Physicist- DIII-D Pedestal Diagnostics

Employer
Princeton University
Location
New Jersey, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Feb 5, 2023

View more

Position Type
Administrative, Academic Affairs, Research Administration
Employment Level
Non-Tenured Track
Employment Type
Full Time

Associate Research Physicist- DIII-D Pedestal Diagnostics

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2022-15752
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research and Laboratory

Princeton University

Overview

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks to fill an Associate Research Physicist position based at DIII-D General Atomics in San Diego, CA. This position will work on diagnostics 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.

Are you interested in joining the world’s brightest talent in solving some of the world’s grandest scientific challenges of the 21st century? Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is doing just that! Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to make their mark on our world. PPPL aims to attract and support people with a rich variety of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and cultural viewpoints. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and believe that each member of our team contributes to our scientific mission in their own unique way. Come join us!



Responsibilities

The goal of the work in this position will be to develop spectroscopic diagnostic systems. The incumbent will 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 General Atomics in San Diego, CA.

The candidate will propose, design and lead DIII-D experiments, leveraging the existing and future 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 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.


Qualifications

Education and Experience:

  • Ph.D in plasma physics or related fields required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Excellent diagnostic development and computer skills
  • Experience in running simulation codes a plus.
  • Experience with plasma spectroscopy and/or optical spectroscopy techniques is highly desired.
  • Understanding of python and C++ is advantageous.
  • Knowledge of machine learning techniques
  • Experience working with experimentalists in large research teams on fusion facilities is beneficial.
  • Preference given to candidates with experience in plasma simulation with experimental application, particularly 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.

PI203197765

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