Plasma-Materials Scientist

Thea Energy; Kearny (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Employee equity stock options

20 days PTO

Job summary

Thea Energy in Kearny, New Jersey is seeking a highly motivated Plasma‑Materials Scientist. This role will focus on the development of plasma-facing materials, involving responsibilities like constructing plasma devices and providing technical guidance. A strong background in plasma-surface interactions, a Master’s degree in a related field, and experience with various plasma diagnostics are essential. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and employee equity options.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in materials science, engineering, applied plasma physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Ability to manage projects autonomously and work independently.
• Experience with surface analysis techniques such as electron microscopy, atomic‑scale microscopy.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the construction of a plasma device and diagnostics.
• Collaborate with facilities and use materials characterization tools.
• Provide technical guidance across team members.

Skills

Knowledge of basic plasma physics

Experience with vacuum systems

Experience with Python

Attention to detail

Ability to work independently

Education

Master’s degree in materials science, engineering, applied plasma physics, chemistry, or a related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

FEA tools

COMSOL

C++

Fortran

Job description

About Thea Energy:

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer‑controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated Plasma‑Materials Scientist to join our team, focusing on plasma‑facing material development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in the research and development of plasma–surface interactions, with particular emphasis on material survivability evaluation, plasma and heat‑induced erosion processes, and plasma contamination effects in fusion‑relevant environments. You will work with high autonomy and ownership, and contribute to cutting‑edge research and development in Thea Energy’s stellarator systems.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the construction and commissioning of a plasma device and diagnostics for exposing and evaluating plasma‑facing material candidates.
• Collaborate with plasma‑material exposure facilities and use materials characterization tools for surface evaluation.
• Provide technical guidance across team members in plasma device operation, plasma‑material performance assessment and experimental planning.
• Participate in stellarator plasma‑facing component operational campaign planning.
• Utilize computational and simulation tools to perform plasma‑surface interaction simulations, thermal analysis, and contribute to multi‑physics modeling efforts.

Required Experience & Skillsets:

• Master’s degree in materials science, engineering, applied plasma physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Knowledge of basic plasma physics.
• Experience with vacuum systems.
• Experience with experimental plasma setups and diagnostics such as industrial plasma sources, RF plasmas, spectroscopic diagnostics, laser‑based diagnostics, and electrostatic probes.
• Experience with surface analysis techniques such as electron microscopy, atomic‑scale microscopy, and elemental composition analysis methods (e.g. XPS, EDX, Raman).
• Experience with one or more of the following: Python, MATLAB, FEA tools, COMSOL, C++, Fortran.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A passion for advancing fusion energy to commercialization.
• Willingness to collaborate with a diverse team of scientists and engineers within the company and externally.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

• PhD in applied plasma physics or a related field.
• Experience with fusion boundary plasmas and/or low‑temperature plasmas.
• Experience with linear plasma devices.
• Experience in tokamak or stellarator divertor research.
• Experience with ERO2.0, TRIDYN, SDTrimSP/TRIM, WALLDYN, or RustBCA.

Company Benefits:

• Salary range $100,000-$160,000
• Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
• Employee equity stock options
• 20 days PTO

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.