Laser Plasma Interaction Physicist

Company: AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY INC
Location: Livermore
Posted on: March 19, 2023

Job Description:

We have an opening for a Laser Plasma Interaction Physicists seeking to impact national security through advancements in igniting and burning thermonuclear plasmas. You will collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team, including laser experimentalists, laser scientists, target designers, computational physicists, and theorists, to analyze, simulate, and model laser-plasma interactions (LPI) to support current experimental efforts in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using simulations, data collected from experimental diagnostics and laser science. This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Weapons and Complex Integration (WCI) Directorate. This position will be hired at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. In this role you will

• Utilize a range of computational methods, including massively parallel codes such as pF3D, to study LPI across disparate physical scales.
• Develop current tools/codes and develop new tools/codes as needed to enhance the predictive capability of LPI, both at the current NIF and in regimes relevant to ICF beyond the current capability of the NIF.
• Successfully work as part of an interdisciplinary team on ICF project activities.
• Impact the design and assessment of future ICF experimental capabilities including upgrades to the current NIF laser capabilities or a successor ICF facility.
• Share results via conferences, reports/publications, and potential interactions with stakeholders.
• Support plans to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the program.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Additional responsibilities at the mid-career (SES. 3) level
  • Independently identify and address LPI modeling needs that assist ICF experiments at the current NIF as well as in regimes relevant to ICF beyond the current capability of the NIF.
  • Provide guidance to and oversight of experimental design by working with ICF designers to avoid/utilize LPI.
  • Impact the development of longer-term LPI modeling capabilities and plans within the ICF program and mentor younger scientists.
  • Collaborate as a technical expert on multidisciplinary teams.
  • Set specific technical strategies to achieve project goals.
  • Work as technical expert on multidisciplinary team.
    • PhD in physics or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
    • Comprehensive knowledge of plasma physics, hydrodynamics, or astrophysics.
    • Experience in computational modeling of complex systems.
    • Experience developing creative solutions to complex problems.
    • Demonstrated ability to deliver a high quality, polished product in a timely manner.
    • Effective verbal and written communication skills necessary to collaborate in a team environment, and experience authoring high-quality reports/publications and delivering effective technical presentations.
    • Demonstrated ability/commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the workplace Additional qualifications at the mid-career (SES.3) level
      • Advanced knowledge of physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field
      • Significant experience with leading, mentoring, and/or collaborating within teams.
      • Advanced verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated record of delivering top-quality research in relevant areas of science and engineering. Qualifications We Desire
        • Significant experience in one or more science disciplines, such as shock hydrodynamics, solid/fluid mechanics, materials science, particle transport, radiation transport, nuclear physics, plasma physics or physical chemistry
        • Experience with the use of large two and three-dimensional computer codes.
        • Experience developing creative and innovative technical solutions (e.g. developing novel algorithms or analytical methods for solving multi-scale LPI problems)
        • Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team-research environment, demonstrating self-motivation and initiative in addressing challenging problems.

Keywords: AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY INC, Livermore , Laser Plasma Interaction Physicist, Other , Livermore, California