Staff Scientist: Plasma–Material Interaction Innovator

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC seeks a Staff Scientist - Plasma Material Interaction to advance predictive models of plasma-facing components in ARC and SPARC projects. You will integrate plasma physics with materials science, enabling materials lifetime predictions under extreme plasma and neutron loading.

The role demands PhD-level research, strong coding skills (Python/C++), and experience with high-heat flux facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in plasma physics, materials science, nuclear engineering, or related field.
• Working knowledge of plasma material interactions in magnetically confined plasmas (heat/particle loads, sputtering, erosion).
• Experience with multiscale material evolution under plasma/neutron loading (defect kinetics, microstructure, surface morphology).
• Experience with at least two calculations: ion energy-angle distribution, binary collision approximation, cluster dynamics/rate theory, finite element methods.
• Experience designing/executing tests at plasma-material exposure devices and high heat flux facilities.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, or similar; version control with Git; HPC using Slurm, AWS, or equivalents.
• Excellent writing and technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build computational workflows to predict PFC material degradation under plasma loading conditions.
• Build computational workflows to predict PFC material degradation under neutron irradiation.
• Support ARC design by running predictive models for PFC material lifetime and shaping.
• Conduct experimental tests of ARC materials at facilities worldwide.
• Benchmark predictive models using SPARC data for ARC design and optimization.
• Develop interpretive models to infer PFC material state from diagnostics.
• Serve as a bridge between Plasma Physics, Materials Science, and Nuclear Engineering divisions.

Skills

Plasma physics

Materials science

Nuclear engineering

Python

C++

Git

HPC

Communication

Education

PhD or equivalent in plasma physics, materials science, nuclear engineering

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

MOOSE

RustBCA

SDTrimSP

F-TRIDYN

Git

Slurm

AWS

Job description

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC seeks a Staff Scientist - Plasma Material Interaction to advance predictive models of plasma-facing components in ARC and SPARC projects. You will integrate plasma physics with materials science, enabling materials lifetime predictions under extreme plasma and neutron loading.

The role demands PhD-level research, strong coding skills (Python/C++), and experience with high-heat flux facilities.