Summary
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a highly motivated Computational Physicist for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position. The successful candidate will focus on modeling plasma transport and plasma-material interactions (PMI) within the Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) facility. This role involves utilizing state-of-the-art 3D plasma boundary simulation tools as part of the MPEX Whole-Device Model, collaborating closely with experimental teams to understand PMI physics and optimize device performance for upcoming campaigns.
Designation
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Research Area
- Computational Physics
- Plasma Transport Modeling
- Plasma-Material Interactions (PMI)
- Boundary and Divertor Plasma Physics
- Fusion Energy
Location
Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830
Eligibility/Qualification
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in Plasma Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a closely related field.
- PhD must have been completed within the last 5 years, or expected completion by June 30th, 2027.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with boundary and divertor plasma physics, including the use of codes such as EMC3-EIRENE, SOLPS, UEDGE, SOLEDGE, or similar.
- Experience with plasma-material interactions, including models for sputtering, impurity transport, and sheath physics.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C++, and other science-relevant languages.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills for interacting with research staff, peer reviewers, sponsors, and for preparing reports, proposals, and presentations.
Job Description
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
- Perform interpretive three-dimensional boundary plasma simulations of MPEX to inform and optimize radiofrequency (RF) power coupling, PMI target conditions, and overall device performance for early operations.
- Integrate boundary plasma simulations with impurity transport models to assess the production and transport of in-vessel impurities in MPEX operating scenarios.
- Conduct predictive modeling to inform the design of new MPEX target geometries, aiming to improve access to divertor-relevant target exposure conditions.
- Validate simulation results against experimental data and constrain code inputs to reduce uncertainty in predictions and guide improvements to the physics model.
- Work closely with teams of diagnosticians, theorists, applied mathematicians, and experimental plasma physicists.
- Produce high-impact research results for peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
- Maintain commitment to ORNL’s values and ethics, aligning behaviors with Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
- Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official Oak Ridge National Laboratory careers portal. The application process typically involves submitting a resume/CV and other required documents. Resumes from third-party vendors will not be accepted.
Apply Link: Apply Now
Last Date for Apply
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after posting (September 28, 2026), after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
