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Assistant Project Scientist (Plasma and Fusion Physics)

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Position overview

Salary range: $68,400
Review timeline: 2 years

Position description

The Plasma Diagnostics Group (PDG) in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA seeks outstanding candidates for a position as an Assistant Project Scientist in the area of Plasma and Fusion Physics. The position will focus on the development and application of advanced millimeter wave diagnostic techniques to measure helicon wave (a.k.a. fast magnetosonic wave) amplitude and spatial power distribution in radio frequency current drive experiments on the DIII-D tokamak at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, California. The experimental effort, to be performed in collaboration with the DIII-D Team, will play a critical role in advancing the physics basis for helicon wave current drive as a reactor-relevant current drive capability. Tasks include (1) commissioning and operating a new, dedicated millimeter wave diagnostic for helicon wave measurements in DIII-D, (2) exploiting the new diagnostic to measure the amplitude and spatial distribution of antenna-launched helicon wave power in DIII-D, and (3) leading and participating in experiments in collaboration with DIII-D researchers and code experts to (a) validate predictive capabilities for helicon wave propagation and current drive, including the AORSA full wave code and the GENRAY ray tracing code (b) and evaluate helicon current drive efficiency. The Assistant Project Scientist will be stationed in San Diego, at the DIII-D facility, but would be expected to make frequent trips to UCLA to work with researchers at UCLA.
The initial appointment will be for a 2-year period, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and renewal of funding. Salary will follow standards for Project Scientist Series and will scale with the applicant’s experience. Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, at least 4 years subsequent experience and a demonstrated background directly applicable to the tasks, including significant experience with plasma diagnostic hardware. Experience with millimeter wave hardware and quasi-optical systems are significant pluses. Hiring is contingent on having the right to work in the U.S. and a willingness to relocate to San Diego upon hiring. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a publication list, and a statement that describes their past, present, and planned contributions to equity, diversity, and/or inclusion. Please submit your application materials by February 1, 2023.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

-Ph.D. in Physics or a related field
-At least 4 years subsequent experience
-A demonstrated background directly applicable to the tasks, including significant experience with plasma diagnostic hardware

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Publication list - Your complete bibliography

  • Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our EDI Statement FAQ document.

  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

Reference requirements

No references are required with initial application.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08125

Help contact: corinna@physics.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

Job location

San Diego, CA