Postdoctoral Scholar in Fusion Simulation

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar focused on Fusion Simulation. The position is tied to the new Fusion Simulation Center, developing configurations for steady-state fusion power plants and enabling robust plasma science and engineering analyses.

Responsibilities include developing simulation software, contributing to publications and conference talks, mentoring students, and collaborating with UCLA and external partners on validation

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in plasma physics or closely related fusion technology discipline.
• Technical excellence and experience in fusion and simulation.
• Proven ability to lead projects and work collaboratively with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Use simulation suites to develop optimized fusion power plant configurations.
• Write software modules addressing specific aspects of the challenge.
• Engage in collaborative research with UCLA and partners; contribute to publications.

Skills

PhD in plasma physics

fusion simulation

leadership

collaboration

Education

PhD in Plasma Physics

Tools

Simulation suites

Software development

Job description

Position overview

Starting $71,491

For full consideration in the first review of applicants, materials should be submitted by November 30, 2026.

Application Window

Open date: October 19, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Nov 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Sunday, Jan 31, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

Fusion Energy represents one of the grand challenges for humankind, offering the prospect of limitless baseload electricity, an inherently safe configuration, with no significant greenhouse gases or nuclear waste. As a thriving fusion industry develops multiple promising concepts for fusion, it is vital to look ahead to solutions for continuous energy production. Thus, UCLA seeks to pioneer the steady state tokamak as a concept in its own right, and as a tensioner to drive the development of the many constituent science and engineering components of the challenge, that will drive broader benefits to the fusion field.

To this end, UCLA is establishing a Fusion Simulation Center to develop concepts for a compact fusion power plant that integrates foundational discovery plasma science, fusion science and engineering. The explicit goal is the development of robust and cost-effective configurations overall for fusion in steady state, as well as innovative approaches and advanced solutions in each of the technical fields and systems comprising a power plant. This work will thus serve as an integrating focus of a very broad range of activities across Engineering and Science at UCLA from energy extraction, blanket design, tritium breeding, and materials development to fundamental plasma science and efficient energy-confining plasma configurations.

Thus, the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA seeks outstanding candidates as a postdoctoral scholar in the area of Fusion Simulation. Key responsibilities and tasks will include:

• Using simulation suites to develop optimized configurations for fusion power plants or other fusion testbed devices.
• Writing software modules to address specific facets of this challenge.
• Undertaking investigations into particular aspects of the power plant solutions (could range from fundamental discovery or fusion plasma science questions to technology aspects such as facets of blanket design or materials behavior, depending on skill of applicant.
• Support to other users as needed, including students and student projects in the center.
• Generate scientific deliverables including journal papers and conference talks.
• Pursuing collaborative engagement within UCLA and or other key partners to investigate particular issues and approaches.
• Potentially to engage in, or collaborate with validation exercises such as experimental tests on tokamaks or other testbed devices.

The successful candidate is expected to be able to operate with autonomy and grapple with highly complex technical issues, distilling them down to essential understanding for a working knowledge. Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, 3+ years experience and a demonstrated background directly applicable to the tasks, including experience with fusion simulation activities on the science or engineering side. Specific understanding of relevant plasma science or fusion technology is essential, but may be weighted to the plasma science and/or fusion technology side.

Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae; a publication list; a Statement of Research Interests and Future Research Goals, complete a reference check authorization release form, and arrange for 2-3 letters of reference to be uploaded to UCLA Academic Recruit by November 30.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Ph.D. in plasma physics or a closely related fusion technology discipline
  -Technical excellence, experience in fusion and simulation
  -Project leadership
• Demonstrated ability to work well and collaboratively with many colleagues

Preferred qualifications

• Extensive fusion background or experience with integrated fusion simulation tools
• Ability to mentor others

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Publication List
• Statement of Research

Reference requirements

• 2-3 letters of reference required

Your letter will be available online for viewing by the search committee. We may include your letter in any future appointment file if an offer of employment is extended.

Help contact

[e-mail]

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affiant's statutory timely filing of pedigree in the Department of Justice or Immigration + other allowances or schedule elements and or—if applicable— the involvement of additional supervisees or third parties.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA