ASSISTANT RESEARCHER (EXPERIMENTAL FUSION AND PLASMA PHYSICS)
University of California Los Angeles


Requisition Number: JPF06746


The Plasma Diagnostics Group (PDG-https://plasma-diagnostics-group.physics.ucla.edu) in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA invites outstanding candidates to apply for a full-time (100%) appointment as an Assistant Researcher in the area of Plasma and Fusion Physics. The appointee will engage in independent, creative experimental research within the broad area of fast-ion physics in fusion research plasmas in the National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade facility (NSTX-U-https://nstx-u.pppl.gov), located at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Princeton (PPPL), NJ, USA. The appointee will be stationed full time at PPPL and the position is open starting July 2022.
NSTX-U is an innovative magnetic fusion device in the spherical tokamak configuration featuring a powerful suite of plasma diagnostics and world-leading high power, high energy neutral beam injection capability. This capability will enable new opportunities for advances in many areas of fast-ion physics including fast-ion driven instabilities and fast-ion transport, as well as their interaction with turbulence and impacts on fast-ion current drive and heating. The appointee will work in close collaboration with other members of the PDG and the NSTX-U Research Team. The NSTX-U Research Team includes physicists and engineers from more than 30 other U.S. laboratories and universities and 20 international institutions from 9 countries.
The appointee will be responsible for identifying and pursuing novel, high-value opportunities for advances in fast-ion physics that exploit the unique capabilities of NSTX-U. In practice, this will consist of leading or collaborating in the design and execution of experiments in NSTX-U, the performance of related modeling and dissemination of the results through presentations at conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals. In addition, the appointee will help mentor UCLA students engaged in research in NSTX-U and will actively participate in the preparation of grant proposals and progress reports.
The Assistant Researcher position is an academic career position that encourages and expects the appointee to grow into a role of scientific leadership (https://www.apo.ucla.edu/policies-forms/the-call/professional-research-series/professional-research-series-1). The position potentially affords the appointee the opportunity to write proposals to agencies such as the U.S. DoE and NSF for funding to support self-directed research. The initial appointment is for two years with renewal subject to satisfactory professional development and renewal of funding. Salary will follow standards for the Professional Research Series and will scale with the appointee's experience (starting at $80,800/year, as of 7/2021). The appointment includes health and pension benefits.
Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, and a demonstrated background applicable to the area of research. Ideally, the candidate should have at least two years related work experience following receipt of a Ph.D., although exceptional candidates with less experience will be considered. Candidates should provide a curriculum vita, a publication list and arrange for 2-3 letters of reference to be included with the application. The PDG and the Department are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive research community. Candidates should also provide a statement that describes their past, present, and planned contributions to equity, diversity, and/or inclusion. Applications should be received by November 30, 2021.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.


To apply, please visit: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06746


The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy, https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction


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