Fusion Simulation Scientist: Data & Physics

Fuse; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Relocation assistance

Flexible time off

End-of-year PTO

Parental leave

Supportive leave policies

Job summary

Fuse is building a research-driven team in California to develop an in-house simulation stack for fusion energy systems. You will model pulsed-power, radiation transport, and detector output, guiding design decisions with physics-based predictions.

The role emphasizes production-grade Python with optional C++/Fortran, rigorous uncertainty quantification, and potential team growth in the future. Relocation to Fuse facilities is expected where needed.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Plasma Physics, Computational Science, Nuclear Engineering, or closely related field. Exceptional Master's candidate considered.
• Strong academic record, GPA 3.8+ from a competitive program.
• Depth in at least one: magnetohydrodynamics, kinetic plasma theory, radiation transport, or pulsed-power circuit modeling.
• Familiarity with other related areas.
• Fluency in vector and tensor calculus, Maxwell's equations in arbitrary geometries, hyperbolic PDEs and numerical schemes, Bayesian statistics, and optimization under constraints.
• Production-grade Python using NumPy, SciPy, xarray, JAX, or PyTorch; comfortable dropping into C++/Fortran when needed.
• Experience writing simulation code from scratch, not just running others' solvers.
• Ability to read a physics paper and assess load-bearing assumptions.

Responsibilities

• Build a coupled simulation framework for DPF including pulsed-power circuit, sheath formation, and MHD.
• Implement radiation source-term models: neutron-yield decomposition, bremsstrahlung, and line-emission spectra.
• Develop surrogate and reduced-order models for parameter sweeps without requiring an HPC job.
• Build the data pipeline ingested shot diagnostics and link to predictions for residual analysis.
• Quantify uncertainty with Bayesian inference and honest error bars on yield predictions.
• Stand up simulations of supporting outputs like electrode erosion and capacitor-bank aging.
• Publish derivations, state assumptions, and ensure code reviews.
• Grow a small simulation team; initially be a force multiplier of one.

Skills

Python

C++/Fortran

MHD theory

Radiation transport

Pulsed-power

Bayesian stats

HPC

Numerical PDEs

Education

PhD in Physics

Master's candidate possible

Tools

NumPy

SciPy

xarray

JAX

PyTorch

Job description

Fuse is building a research-driven team in California to develop an in-house simulation stack for fusion energy systems. You will model pulsed-power, radiation transport, and detector output, guiding design decisions with physics-based predictions.

The role emphasizes production-grade Python with optional C++/Fortran, rigorous uncertainty quantification, and potential team growth in the future. Relocation to Fuse facilities is expected where needed.