Post-doctoral student (M/F) : : Physics of shock dynamics in low-density materials and equation[...]

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious research organization in France is seeking a researcher in high-energy density physics to participate in international campaigns at large-scale laser facilities. This role involves conducting experiments, data analysis, and contributing to scientific publications. The ideal candidate should hold a doctoral degree in Physics or Engineering and have hands-on experience in high-power laser facilities and knowledge of radiative hydrodynamic simulations. This position offers an opportunity for international collaboration in cutting-edge research.

Qualifications

• Experience in working in large scale high-power laser facilities.
• Knowledge on designing and performing radiative hydrodynamic simulations.
• Strong skills in writing successfully for diverse audiences.

Responsabilités

• Participate in international collaborative campaigns in laser facilities.
• Contribute to target design and diagnostic tools.
• Conduct data analysis and validation against theoretical models.

Connaissances

Hands-on experience in high-power laser facilities

Knowledge of Python programming for data analysis

Experience with radiative hydrodynamic simulations

Strong writing skills for publications

Formation

Doctoral degree level in Physics or Engineering

Outils

MULTI 1D

MULTI 2D

FLASH

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Centre lasers intenses et applications Research Field Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country France Application Deadline 6 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Participate in scheduled international collaborative campaigns in large-scale high-power laser facilities to conduct research on High Energy Density Physics, and Equation of State studies of matter in multi-Mbar pressures, in the context of Shock Ignition. Participate in international conferences and schools.

Perform hands-on experimental campaigns at high-power, large-scale laser facilities (GEKKO XII, ELI-L4n, PHELIX, PALS). Contribute to detailed target design, diagnostic tools, and experimental setup. Conduct post-experimental data analysis, including processing, interpretation, and validation against theoretical models or simulations using radiative hydrodynamic simulations (MULTI 1D, MULTI 2D) or MHD code (FLASH). Contribute to the scientific publications and internal reports, using experimental results.

The project is led by the PETRUX team at the CELIA laboratory (Center for Intense Lasers and Applications).
CELIA is a joint research unit of the University of Bordeaux, the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), and the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). Its main missions are the development of research related to the use of high-intensity lasers, the study of laser-matter interactions in extreme regimes, plasma physics and applications related to large laser infrastructures (LMJ/PETAL), and the study of topics with high potential for technological development or significant societal impact.
CELIA currently comprises 104 people, including 41 researchers and research professors and 17 permanent research assistants. It hosts and trains approximately 40 doctoral students and 10 postdoctoral researchers of various nationalities.
The present project is part of the activities related to the Enabling Research Project CfP-FSD-AWP26-ENR-01 “Conceptual design for a European High Power Laser Fusion Research Facility” (HiPER+RF) approved by Eurofusion and financed by EURATOM for the period 2026-2027. The project includes 12 countries and 30 research groups. In this context, experiments are planned for 2026 on large-scale laser facilities (ELI, GEKKO, PALS, SG-IIIP) to analyze the behavior of “alternative” ablator materials to be used in inertial fusion experiments. The candidate will take part in these campaigns and assist in the experimental planning and data acquisition. The central part of this research involves understanding the dynamics of shock waves in low-density materials, which plays a critical role in SI physics.

Experience in working in large scale high-power laser facilities. Strong knowledge on designing and performing radiative hydrodynamic simulations using codes like MULTI and FLASH. Knowledge of Python programming tools to perform data analysis, simulations and post-processing tools. Good skills in writing for diverse audiences, including successful grant proposals, peer-reviewed publications, and conference proceedings. Have doctoral degree level in Physics or Engineering or equivalent foreign titles. Flexibility and ability to take part in international collaboration.