Computational Scientist

Realta Fusion Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stock options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Flexible PTO

Madison living

Job summary

Realta Fusion is developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems. The Computational Scientist will advance high-fidelity simulations of WHAM at UW–Madison and future devices.

The role emphasizes accelerating models with AI/ML, collaborating with national labs and universities, publishing in peer‑reviewed journals, and securing funding in a startup environment. The position offers a path to impact fusion science and energy solutions in a fast-growing company, with a focus on innovation

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field and minimum 3 years of applied research experience.
• Expertise in state-of-the-art numerical tools for solving coupled PDEs.
• Experience applying surrogate models to cascade results across fidelities.
• Understanding of magnetically confined fusion plasma heating technologies.
• Strong collaboration skills and a track record of IP/publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in theoretical and computational projects to advance high-fidelity modeling of axisymmetric magnetic mirror devices.
• Apply high-performance computing models to guide the design of future axisymmetric mirror devices constructed at Realta.
• Employ state-of-the-art computational models to understand and explain experimental observations & trends.
• Conduct literature reviews, prepare reports and materials and disseminate information to appropriate entities.
• Identify, write, or assist in developing grant opportunities, grant applications, proposals and other materials to secure funding in a startup-environment.
• Publish and present results to advance research and ensure credibility for our work in the field of plasma physics & fusion energy.
• Serve as an institutional subject matter expert and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders providing expert level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area.
• Culture and Values: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that aligns with the company's mission, values, and sustainability goals, promoting innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement.

Skills

Numerical modeling

PDEs

High-performance computing

AI/ML applications

Scientific collaboration

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Plasma Physics, or related field

Tools

Finite element methods

Surrogate models

CUDA / parallel computing

Job description

Join Realta Fusion and help shape the future of fusion energy through advanced theory and computation. As a Computational Scientist , you’ll enable modeling breakthroughs to drive groundbreaking progress on our next-generation magnetic mirror devices.

Realta Fusion is a rapidly growing start-up developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to address the biggest challenge of our time – tackling global climate change while ensuring a sufficient energy supply for at least ten billion people on (and off) earth. We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy a real solution to humanity’s most pressing problem.

This Scientist will contribute to several theoretical and computational projects to advance the physics basis for the high-field axisymmetric magnetic mirror. This work will include development and optimization of numerical models to enable high fidelity simulations of the currently operating Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and future axisymmetric mirror devices at Realta. Strong focus will be on enhancing the team’s ability to perform predictive simulations of fusion grade plasmas in tandem mirror traps and cascading high-fidelity simulation results down the modeling hierarchy. Achieving this will require leveraging state of the art techniques to accelerate performance of existing models and effective application of AI/ML techniques. This role will include participating in collaborations with external research groups at both national laboratories and universities, publishing work in peer-reviewed journals and disseminating results at conferences.

Responsibilities

1. Lead and participate in theoretical and computational projects to advance the state-of-the-art in high-fidelity modeling of axisymmetric magnetic mirror devices.
2. Apply high-performance computing models to guide the design of future axisymmetric mirror devices constructed at Realta.
3. Employ state-of-the-art computational models to understand and explain experimental observations & trends.
4. Conduct literature reviews, prepare reports and materials and disseminate information to appropriate entities.
5. Identify, write, or assist in developing grant opportunities, grant applications, proposals and other materials to secure funding in a startup-environment.
6. Publish and present results to advance research and ensure credibility for our work in the field of plasma physics & fusion energy.
7. Serve as an institutional subject matter expert and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders providing expert level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area.
8. Culture and Values: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that aligns with the company's mission, values, and sustainability goals, promoting innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement.

Required Qualifications

1. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Plasma Physics, or a related field + minimum of 3 years’ experience in applied research.
2. Expert in developing state of the art numerical tools (for example, using finite element methods to solve coupled PDEs).
3. Familiarity with applying surrogate models to cascade results from high-fidelity models to lower-fidelity models.
4. Understanding of magnetically confined fusion plasma heating and technologies, such as bias-induced rotation, electron cyclotron heating, neutral beam injection, and RF heating.
5. Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) to collaborate effectively with colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders.
6. Demonstration of innovation capacity through IP generated and/or publications in the field.

Compensation & Benefits

What we are working on is hard... and hugely important. Realta Fusion is assembling a talented team bound together by a passion to solve humanity’s biggest challenge with first-of-a-kind technology. Additionally, Realta offers:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity stock options
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance
• Work and live in Madison, Wisconsin — one of America’s most livable and vibrant cities

We value diversity as a critical factor in innovation and believe a diverse team is necessary to solve the toughest problems. We aim to create an inclusive environment that unleashes the full creativity of our team members from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.