Stellarator Research Intern - Fusion Physics

U.S. Fusion Energy; Illinois; On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Thea Energy is seeking a Physics Intern for Fall 2026 to work on stellarator research in Kearny, NJ. You will collaborate with physicists and engineers to run simulations, review literature, and translate results into design specifications.

Ideal candidates are pursuing undergraduate, masters, or PhD studies with interests in plasma modeling, diagnostics, and HPC, and will gain exposure to cross-functional teams and real-world fusion energy challenges.

Qualifications

• Candidates may be pursuing undergraduate, masters, or PhD degrees.
• Experience in at least one listed physics area is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a dedicated research project within core physics areas, guided by a senior physicist mentor.
• Conduct literature reviews to guide initial project specifications.
• Run simulations or analyze data to inform stellarator design.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams of mechanical and electrical engineers.
• Support engineering design reviews by translating physics results into specifications.
• Use project management tools to track tasks and long-term research goals.
• Present findings and project outcomes to the technical team at internship end.

Skills

Plasma magnetohydrodynamic modeling

Stellarator coil optimization

Plasma diagnostics

Plasma gyrokinetic modeling

Plasma control

Energetic particle modeling

Plasma-fluid modeling

Neutral particle Monte Carlo

Neutron transport Monte Carlo

Scientific computing

High-performance computing

Nonlinear optimization

Machine learning

Data science

Git

Python

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate student in physics or related field

Tools

Git

Python

Job description

Thea Energy is seeking a Physics Intern for Fall 2026 to work on stellarator research in Kearny, NJ. You will collaborate with physicists and engineers to run simulations, review literature, and translate results into design specifications.

Ideal candidates are pursuing undergraduate, masters, or PhD studies with interests in plasma modeling, diagnostics, and HPC, and will gain exposure to cross-functional teams and real-world fusion energy challenges.