Principal Fusion Researcher

Cambridge Heavy Industries Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stake

Medical/dental/vision

Job summary

Cambridge Heavy Industries (CHI) is building compact, benchtop-scale fusion reactors and exploring isotope production, neutron imaging, and materials testing. We seek a Principal Fusion Researcher to lead laser-system construction, target design, and experiments in high-pressure and high-temperature physics.

The ideal candidate has deep ICF expertise, fast ignition experience, and hands-on laser experience across diagnostics and simulations.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics with specialization in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) or related field.
• Demonstrated research in ICF with fast ignition: short-pulse laser–plasma interactions and heating of compressed fuel.
• Hands-on experience with high-power ultrashort-pulse lasers and ultrafast spectroscopy.
• Experience in shock physics and implosion/compression experiments.
• Willingness to learn PIC/hydrocode simulations if needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the construction of CHI's laser-optical systems to induce high pressure and temperature.
• Lead target design and characterization using time-resolved diagnostics including high-speed imaging, interferometry, and spectroscopies (optical, neutron, or X-ray).
• Collaborate with computational physicists on modeling and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with mechanical and material engineers on the sample chamber design and material processing.

Skills

ICF expertise

Fast ignition

High-power lasers

Time-resolved diagnostics

PIC simulations

Materials characterization

Education

PhD in physics

Tools

PIC simulations

Hydrocode simulations

Interferometry

Job description

Cambridge Heavy Industries (CHI) is building compact, benchtop-scale fusion reactors. Using synchronized multi-ring laser shocks developed over two decades in Prof. Keith Nelson’s lab at MIT, our system achieves more than 400x higher compression efficiency than conventional laser fusion, with off-the-shelf components. Neutrons are our first product, serving markets that pay well before energy breakeven: isotope production (including tritium and medical isotopes), neutron imaging and testing, heat-management qualification, reactor-material testing – with the ultimate goal of energy production. CHI is based at The Engine in Cambridge, MA.

The Opportunity

CHI is hiring a Principal Fusion Researcher to lead the construction of our laser-optical systems, target design and characterization, and experimental work in high-pressure and high-temperature physics. You will work across experiment, computation, mechanical engineering, and materials as we develop CHI's fusion platform. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in inertial confinement fusion (ICF), particularly fast ignition.

Responsibilities

Laser Systems

Lead the construction of CHI's laser-optical systems to induce high pressure and temperature.

Targets & Diagnostics

Lead target design and characterization using time-resolved diagnostics including high-speed imaging, interferometry, and spectroscopies (optical, neutron, or X-ray).

Collaborate with computational physicists on modeling and performance optimization.

Collaborate with mechanical and material engineers on the sample chamber design and material processing.

Qualifications

Required

PhD in physics with specialization in inertial confinement fusion (ICF), high-energy-density physics, plasma physics, laser optics, or a related field.

Demonstrated research experience in ICF, with a strong emphasis on fast ignition: short-pulse, high-intensity laser–plasma interactions, relativistic electron and ion beam generation and transport, and heating of compressed fuel.

Hands-on experience with high-power lasers (including ultrashort-pulse, high-intensity systems), ultrafast spectroscopy, and material characterization tools.

Experience in shock physics and implosion or compression experiments.

Experience in, or readiness to learn, particle-in-cell (PIC), radiation-hydrodynamics, or hydrocode simulations.

Preferred

Fast ignition. Experimental experience with fast-ignition schemes (e.g., cone-guided electron or proton fast ignition), ideally including integrated compression-and-heating experiments.

MagLIF. Experimental experience with Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) or related magneto-inertial fusion platforms, including laser preheat, fuel magnetization, and liner implosion diagnostics.

TNSA. Experimental experience with target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA): laser-driven proton and ion beam generation, target optimization, and beam characterization (e.g., radiochromic film stacks, Thomson parabola spectrometers).

Facilities. A track record of experiments at major high-energy-density facilities such as OMEGA/OMEGA EP, the Z Machine, NIF, or petawatt-class laser systems.

Working Style

Versatile. You can wear different hats and thrive in a zero-to-one startup environment.

Builder. You write the first playbook rather than wait for one.

Location

In-person at The Engine, 750 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, with up to 30% travel expected (may change)

Compensation and benefits

Base salary of $130K - $180K plus meaningful early-stage equity.

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Application

Cambridge Heavy Industries is an equal opportunity employer. We hire and promote on the basis of merit, qualifications, and the company’s needs, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.