Staff Research Scientist - Tokamak Experimental Science

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL); Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 111,400 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International travel

Job summary

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks a Research Staff Scientist assigned to the DIII-D fusion facility in San Diego, California. The role will advance real‑time plasma exhaust monitoring and control, developing feedback‑control capabilities using physics‑based and AI state estimation, and integrating high‑resolution diagnostics within the Plasma Control System (PCS).

The successful candidate will lead real‑time diagnostic and control activities across multiple fusion devices,

Qualifications

• PhD in plasma physics, nuclear engineering, or related field required.
• Minimum 3 years' post‑PhD experience with strong analytical and English communication skills.
• Experience with real‑time diagnostics, PCS deployment, and AI/ML for real‑time control is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advance real‑time plasma exhaust monitoring and control for DIII-D, KSTAR, and other devices.
• Develop and deploy feedback‑control capabilities using physics‑based and AI state estimation.
• Interface with PCS developments and contribute to experimental campaigns and publications.

Skills

Post-PhD experience

Real-time diagnostic development

PCS application development

AI/ML for real-time diagnostics

Feedback control of plasma exhaust

Education

PhD in plasma physics or related field

Tools

Real-time computing systems

Data streaming

Job description

Overview

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks a Research Staff Scientist in assignment at the DIII-D fusion facility in San Diego, California. Joining a multidisciplinary team, the scientist will advance real-time plasma exhaust monitoring and control for fusion devices, developing feedback‑control capabilities using physics‑based and AI state estimation, implementing applications within the Plasma Control System (PCS), and integrating high‑resolution diagnostics. The candidate will leverage novel real‑time diagnostics and control tools to advance core‑edge integrated scenarios in DIII‑D, KSTAR, and other international devices.

PPPL is a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, tackling the world’s toughest scientific and technological challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in fusion energy research and development and is also advancing research in microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences.

Responsibilities

Join a dynamic team of scientists with diverse expertise working to advance real‑time plasma exhaust monitoring, state estimation, and control for core‑edge integration in fusion devices. The successful candidate will develop and deploy real‑time feedback‑control capabilities on DIII‑D for plasma exhaust control, including divertor detachment and related edge‑plasma applications. This involves utilizing physics‑based and AI‑driven state estimation, diagnostic degradation/failure mitigation, and reduced‑diagnostic approaches for control applications. The position includes the implementation of diagnostic and control applications within PCS, integration of high‑resolution real‑time diagnostics and imaging data into PCS, and extension of the associated real‑time computing infrastructure. The candidate will also lead real‑time diagnostic and control activities on the KSTAR tokamak and other magnetic fusion devices, including execution of experimental campaigns.

Conduct research and disseminate results in the form of talks, posters, and refereed journal articles, as well as eventual patents, resulting from the conducted research, particularly regarding real‑time plasma exhaust diagnostics and control, plasma state estimation, and deployment of diagnostic and control applications for experimental fusion devices. Develop and/or implement high‑temporal‑resolution real‑time plasma diagnostics, including real‑time plasma imaging. Interface with PCS development groups at DIII‑D and KSTAR for implementation of real‑time computing systems and software relevant to the research.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience post‑PhD; Ph.D. in plasma physics, nuclear engineering, or a related field. Strong analytical and English communication skills are required.
• Experience with real‑time diagnostic development, PCS application development and deployment, knowledge of real‑time computing systems and data streaming, and AI/ML model development for real‑time diagnostic and control applications is strongly preferred.
• Expertise in feedback control of plasma exhaust, including divertor detachment and related edge‑plasma applications, with demonstrated application on multiple fusion devices, and the ability to lead and conduct experimental sessions is strongly preferred.

Periodic international travel in support of activities at KSTAR and other facilities is foreseen.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employment Details

Salary Range: $111,400 to $178,000.

Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00.

Eligible for Overtime: No.

Benefits Eligible: Yes.

Probationary Period: 180 days.