Scientist

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. This position is responsible for determining and developing effective approaches for resolving a range of difficult scientific problems in edge plasma physics for magnetic fusion energy and has primary responsibility for the core SPRED diagnostic on DIII-D tokamak.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify key physics mechanisms that drive power and particle exhaust and heat load in naturally no-ELM or small-ELM scenarios through simulation and validate against experimental data.
• Improve the understanding of impurity control (both high-Z and low-Z) in naturally no-ELM or small-ELM scenarios through integrated modeling of plasma-wall interaction.
• Plan, execute, and analyze DIII-D experiments aimed to achieve detachment in no-ELM or small-ELM scenarios while maintaining good confinement.
• Collaborate with other scientists to develop control tools and/or AI models for detachment in no-ELM or small-ELM scenarios.
• Maintains hardware and software, operates, refurbishes and upgrades the core SPRED diagnostic on DIII-D with the help of other staff scientists.
• Provides expert analysis of core SPRED data during DIII-D operations, especially for spectra that are too complex and difficult for the AI tools.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations summarizing methods, results, and impacts; contribute to peer-reviewed publications; and present results at scientific meetings.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; four or more years experience with a Bachelors degree and two or more years experience with a Masters degree.
• Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Must have:
• A rigorous understanding of scientific concepts, principles, and theory in at least one of the following areas pedestal physics, divertor physics or impurity transport in fusion plasmas.
• Experience demonstrating broad application of those concepts to experimental and/or computational boundary physics problems.
• Must possess the ability to:
• Understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in an evolving research environment.
• Organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases across experimental campaigns and modeling tasks.
• Determine the appropriate technical approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must have strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills; the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team; and the ability to perform complex tasks in one scientific area while interfacing effectively with adjacent disciplines.
• Must be able to lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi-routine tasks and coordinate with technical staff on experimental hardware and diagnostics.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Original work(s) published in professional scientific journals or formal technical equivalents in relevant areas are highly desirable.