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Postdoctoral Associate
  • Job Number: 25344
  • Functional Area: Research - Scientific
  • Department: Plasma Science and Fusion Center
  • School Area: VP Research
  • Pay Range Minimum: $71,000
  • Pay Range Maximum: $90,000
  • Employment Type: Full-Time
  • Employment Category: Exempt
  • Visa Sponsorship Available: Yes
  • Schedule:
  • Pay Grade: No Grade


Posting Description

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, Plasma Science and Fusion Center - The Magnetic Confinement Energy Integrated Modeling (MFE-IM) and SPARC Performance and Transport (P&T), to conduct research in core/edge modeling, scenario optimization and experimental interpretation in the SPARC tokamak; lead the efforts of creating a platform to analyze experimental data in SPARC early campaign plasmas and integrate with other research groups; create modeled plasma databases using integrated modeling frameworks (such as TRANSP, TORAX, FUSE, ASTRA, JINTRAC, etc); be part of the implementation and application of scenario optimization techniques that could be applied in between shots and between run days, to include model correction techniques and transfer learning to maximize success probability of SPARC experiments; and interact broadly with research groups at MIT, CFS and the broader fusion community.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: A PhD in plasma physics or related area; exceptional computational workflow development skills; and experience and deep understanding of the needs for interpretive transport validation exercises, such as profile fitting, interpretive power balance, uncertainty quantification, inversion techniques, model validation and analysis, and database construction. PREFERRED: Experience with modeling of plasma dynamics (particularly turbulent transport and pedestal physics); experience with data-driven, machine learning and surrogate modeling; and presentation skills and proven research independence.

Application material should include a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of three references. This material should be submitted as a single PDF in the resume field of the application. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal depending on satisfactory performance and continued funding.

12/3/2025