"Associate Research Scientist - X-ray Diagnostic on the WEST Tokamak"

Overview

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development of a vertical multi-energy x-ray diagnostic on the WEST tokamak and its 2D tomographic integration with an existing radial view to enable a complete inference of core soft x-ray (SXR) emissivity profiles across multiple energy ranges simultaneously. This advanced diagnostic capability will be applied to study particle and thermal transport and to investigate the behavior of energetic electrons in lower hybrid current drive experiments. The multi-energy x-ray tomography system will also provide two-dimensional measurements of electron temperature and impurity content, focusing mainly on nitrogen and tungsten.

The proposed work aims to exploit also a new real-time diagnostic data effort in combination with theory, state-of-the-art computational modeling, and a rigorous verification and validation (VV) framework developed by PPPL in collaboration with national and international partners. WEST is a long-pulse tokamak equipped with all-tungsten plasma-facing components, whose mission is to develop and understand the physics of steady-state, reactor-relevant plasma scenarios applicable to ITER and future fusion reactors.

Responsibilities

In addition to leading the implementation of the multi-energy x-ray cameras, the successful candidate will be responsible for their calibration, operation, and data analysis. The candidate will actively participate in the WEST research program, including proposing and executing experiments as well as contributing to experiments led by other members of the WEST team. The role involves primary responsibility for the development of the data analysis codes required to interpret diagnostic results. The candidate may also work with one or more Ph.D. students or postdoctoral researchers to accomplish these goals. It is expected that the candidate will publish the results of their work in refereed journals and present them at major international conferences.

Experience has shown that applying deep diagnostic and operational expertise provides strong synergistic benefits and accelerates scientific progress. Consequently, direct, in-person involvement of researchers is essential for successful diagnostic and hardware implementation The successful candidate will collaborate at PPPL in Princeton, New Jersey and with the CEA Cadrache team.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in plasma physics, fusion science, atomic physics or a closely related field. Preference will be given to candidates with experimental experience on fusion devices and demonstrated expertise in tokamak diagnostics, x-ray measurements and plasma and core fusion physics. Experience in data analysis and proficiency in modern x-ray tomographic programming techniques are highly desirable. Areas of interest for development using the multi-energy SXR and HXR diagnostic suite include thermal and impurity transport, MHD equilibrium, RF heating and current drive, runaway electron physics, and the study of thermal and current quenches. While not required, proficiency in French is desirable and may facilitate day-to-day interactions on site. The international teams operate primarily in English, so fluency in French is not essential.

Department: PPPL Office of the Director
Category: Research and Laboratory
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Posted: 27-Dec-25
Salary Range: $91,500 to $146,100
Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00
Benefits Eligible: Yes

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.