Experimental Scientist

Realta Fusion; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stock options

Excellent health / dental / vision and

Live in Madison, Wisconsin

Job summary

Realta Fusion, a Wisconsin-based startup, seeks a scientist to advance the physics basis for high-field axisymmetric mirror devices. You will design, build, and field new plasma diagnostics on WHAM at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, lead collaborations with national labs and universities, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

You will participate in grant activities, contribute to safety standards, and help envision future devices like Anvil and Hammir in a startup environment that

Qualifications

• PhD in Plasma Physics or related field; minimum 3 years in experimental plasma physics research.
• Experience with standard plasma diagnostics and analysis techniques.
• Experience designing, building, and fielding diagnostic systems for high-vacuum plasma experiments.
• Understanding of magnetically confined fusion plasma heating and current drive technologies.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with partners.
• Demonstrated innovation through IP or publications in the field.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex research methodologies for magnetic mirror fusion devices and optimize design of Realta’s next devices.
• Design, build, and field diagnostic systems on WHAM at UW-Madison and future devices Anvil and Hammir.
• Collect and analyze data, plan experiments, document results per policy.
• Interface with theory, engineering, and leadership to meet milestones.
• Conduct literature reviews, prepare reports, and disseminate results.
• Identify and help develop grant opportunities and proposals for funding in a startup environment.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and liaison with stakeholders.
• Contribute to safety standards and implement within R&D team.
• Foster a diverse, inclusive environment aligned with mission and values.

Skills

Experimental plasma physics

Plasma diagnostics

High vacuum systems

Collaboration & communication

Grant writing

Education

PhD in Plasma Physics

Tools

Bolometers

Interferometers

Spectrometers

Thomson scattering

X-ray detectors

Job description

Realta Fusionis 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. Realta is targeting the need to decarbonize industrial process heat as the fastest path to full-scale deployment of our technology.We are building a team with diverse talents dedicated to making fusion energy aarealsolution to humanity’s most pressing problem.

This scientist will contribute to several experimental physics projects to advance the physics basis for the high-field axisymmetric mirror. This work will include designing, building, and fielding new experimental diagnostics on the currently operating Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, proposing new experimental campaigns and plasma diagnostics needed to enhance physics understanding and validation efforts with computational tools, and helping design and diagnose of future axisymmetric mirror devices at Realta Fusion called Anvil and Hammir. This role will include leading and 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

• Develop complex research methodologies and procedures to identify solutionsin a magnetic mirror fusion research deviceand optimize the design of Realta’s next fusion devices.
• Design, build, and field new plasma diagnostic systems on WHAM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and for our future fusion devices called Anvil and Hammir.
• Collect and analyze highly complex research data, propose and conduct experiments, and document results according to established policies and procedures.
• Interface with theory and modelling, engineering team and business leadership to deliver on technical milestones.
• 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.
• Serveas an institutional subject matter expert and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders providing expert level information and representing the interests of a specializedresearch area.
• Contribute to the establishment of company safety standards and implement these standards within the R&D team.
• 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

• Education: PhD in Plasma Physics, or a related field + minimum of 3 years' experience in experimental plasma physics research.
• Experience with standard plasma diagnostics (e.g. bolometers, electrostatic ion energy analyzers, interferometers, magnetic probes, spectrometers, visible imagery, fusion neutron diagnostics, soft and hard x-ray detectors,Thomson scattering,etc…) and analysis techniques.
• Experience designing, building, and fielding experimental diagnostic systems on plasma physics and fusion experiments requiring high vacuum quality (e.g., base pressures 10 -9 – 10 -8 torr).
• Understanding of magnetically confined fusion plasma heating and current drive technologies, such as bias-induced rotation, electron cyclotron heating, neutral beam injection, and RF heating.
• Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) to collaborate effectively with colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Demonstration of innovation capacity through IP generated and/or publications in the field.

Compensation and 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. That shared mission is a primary benefit of working in our team. Additionally, Realta offers:

• Competitive compensation, including equity stock options
• Excellent health / dental / vision and other benefits
• The opportunity to work in one of America’s most livable cities, Madison, Wisconsin

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.

We encourage applicants who don't meet all the criteria but believe they can thrive in this role to apply.