Staff Scientist - Plasma Material Interaction

About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we're working with policymakers, suppliers, and many others to build the energy industry of the future.

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised $4 billion of capital, making us the largest and leading fusion company in the world.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

Join the power movement as a Principal Scientist - Radio Frequency Plasma Heating CFS is looking for an enthusiastic experimental RF Scientist/Engineer to join the team to operate the SPARC ion cyclotron heating system and study RF physics/engineering in SPARC and ARC. The SPARC tokamak aims to be the first magnetic confinement device to achieve net energy and is predicted to have up to Q=11 in DT, producing up to 140 MW of fusion power. The sole auxiliary heating for SPARC is a 120 MHz, 25 MW (coupled) Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) system that will launch into SPARC via an array of 14 4-strap ICRH antennas. The novel, solid-state 120 MHz sources and the ICRH antennas are already in production. The Ion Cyclotron Discharge Cleaning (ICDC) System provides one of several mechanisms to clean and condition the exposed surfaces within the Tokamak confinement vessel, including boronization of plasma facing components. The ICDC System is similar in design but wholly distinct from the ICRF, with its own transmitter, transmission network, and antennas. The Scientist – Radio Frequency Plasma Heating will be vital to the successful commissioning and operation of both the ICRH and ICDC systems. They will prepare for commissioning via simulations of the antennas and the plasmas and then will be a key part of the team to operate SPARC and to design ARC.

Build computational workflows to predict PFC material degradation under plasma loading conditions, and subsequent impact on plasma performance

Build computational workflows to predict PFC material degradation under neutron irradiation

Support ARC design team by running predictive models to inform PFC material lifetime estimates, component shaping, and consequences of overloading

Conduct experimental tests of candidate ARC materials at test facilities around the world, including PMI, heat loads, and neutron irradiation

Leverage SPARC experimental data to benchmark predictive models used for ARC design and optimization

Develop interpretive models used to infer PFC material state from power plant relevant diagnostics

Serve as a bridge between the Plasma Physics Department, Materials Science Department, and Nuclear Engineering Department at CFS

Manage collaborations with universities, national labs, and private companies, around the world

Present scientific results at technical conferences and in a peer reviewed publications

PhD or equivalent in plasma physics, materials science, nuclear engineering, or related, with demonstrated research in plasma material interactions

Working knowledge of plasma material interactions, specifically within the context of magnetically confined plasmas (e.g. heat and particle loads, sputtering and erosion, dust formation, PMI diagnostics)

Working knowledge of multiscale material evolution under plasma and/or neutron loading (e.g. PKA and displacement damage, defect and gas-bubble kinetics, transmutation effects, microstructural evolution, surface morphology, and resulting thermomechanical property degradation)

Experience with at least two of the following calculations: ion energy angle distribution (hPIC or equivalent), binary collision approximation (e.g. RustBCA, SDTrimSP, F-TRIDYN), cluster dynamics or rate theory (Xolotl or equivalent), finite element (e.g. ANSYS, MOOSE, COMSOL)

Experience designing and executing test campaigns at plasma-material exposure devices (e.g. Magnum-PSI, MPEX) and/or high heat flux facilities (e.g. GLADIS, HADES)

Experience with Python, C++, or similar

Version control with git or similar

HPC using Slurm, AWS, or equivalent

Excellent writing and technical communication skills

Experience with PMI-specific codes: (e.g. ERO2.0, WallDYN, FESTIM, HEAT)

Knowledge of boundary plasma physics and experience with edge/neutral transport codes (e.g. SOLPS-ITER, EMC3-EIRENE)

Experience with neutron or ion-beam irradiation campaigns and post-irradiation examination (e.g. HFIR, ATR)

Experience with materials characterization (e.g. thermal desorption spectroscopy, SEM/TEM)

Knowledge of irradiation damage metrics (e.g. dpa, appm He/dpa) and the limits of fission and ion beam surrogates for fusion neutron spectrum

Knowledge of tungsten metallurgy, processing, and joining

Knowledge of degradation and failure mechanisms in tungsten from plasma and neutron exposure (e.g. recrystallization, embrittlement, DBTT shift, erosion)

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain coupled multi-code computational workflows

Experience containerizing codes (eg Docker, Apptainer)

Perform extended activities such as typing, standing, sitting, etc.

Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally

Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

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