Scientist - Scenarios and Integrated Modeling

Commonwealth Fusion Systems; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking a Scientist in Scenarios and Integrated Modeling to contribute to the development of plasma scenarios for SPARC and ARC projects. You will work with top researchers in the field, coordinating a team to improve simulation tools and achieve key plasma operation goals.

This role offers the opportunity to play a vital part in the future of fusion energy, contributing to groundbreaking research in a supportive and innovative environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong plasma physics knowledge and experience in integrated modeling.

Qualifications

• Strong background in plasma physics and integrated modeling tools.
• Experience with multi-institutional collaboration.
• Ability to develop predictive toolchains for plasma operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop plasma physics scenarios for SPARC and ARC.
• Coordinate a team of plasma physics experts for toolset improvement.
• Define plasma operation goals and analyze SPARC operations.

Skills

Plasma physics

Integrated simulation and modeling

Experimental planning and analysis

Education

PhD in Physics or related field

Tools

Modeling toolsets

Job description

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy. Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we’re working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world. Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

Scientist – Scenarios and Integrated Modeling

Develop plasma physics scenarios for SPARC and ARC based on comprehensive integrated simulation and modeling of the core and edge plasma. Coordinate with a multi-institutional team of plasma physics experts to develop and improve an integrated modeling toolset, and to employ that toolset for experimental planning and analysis on SPARC. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is assembling the high-field SPARC tokamak, which aims to be the first magnetic fusion device to achieve net fusion energy, and is predicted to be able to achieve high gain and fusion power up to 140MW. In parallel, CFS is designing and optimizing the ARC fusion power plant, the first of which will be built in Virginia in the early 2030s. To achieve SPARC’s goals and validate the physics understanding necessary for optimizing ARC, we plan to develop and continuously improve a comprehensive predictive toolchain, including all physics capabilities needed to evaluate plasma scenario performance and robustness. The person in this role will coordinate and contribute to the development and testing of this toolchain, and its use in planning and executing experiments on SPARC, as well as in development and optimization of future power plants. The person in this role will also play a key role in defining plasma operation goals, identify optimal operation scenarios for each goal, and participate directly in execution and analysis of SPARC operations.