Research Associate in Inertial Fusion

Role Description

Applications are invited for a full-time (until 31 December 2021), post-doctoral research associate in direct drive inertial fusion studies. You will play a pivotal role in a multi-national team to advance our knowledge of whether laser-plasma interactions and the generation of hot-electrons will deleteriously pre-heat an imploding fusion capsule, preventing ignition.

Your principal role will be to data mine existing data sets, designing new experimental concepts and establish diagnostic methodologies for inferring the character laser-plasma interactions and the influence of the hot electrons. The particular focus is on shock ignition approach to inertial fusion.

The Department of Physics is at the forefront of pioneering global research and technological advancement in our world leading research centres, focused around biophysics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, and plasma physics and fusion energy at the York Plasma Institute. As a Department we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups. We promote good practice and a strong culture of equality in higher education, and are proud of our Juno Champion Award and Athena SWAN Silver Award.

You are required to be in the UK at the start of the appointment, we can be flexible about the start date, but the end date is fixed at 31/12/21.

Role

(Role holders will be required to undertake some or all of the duties below)

• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects, duties to include: analysis and interpretation of research data; use of appropriate research techniques and methods; writing up of research results and dissemination through publications, seminar and conference presentations and public engagement and outreach activities; contributing to the identification of possible new areas of research
• To assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research and the development of proposals for independent or collaborative research projects   

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

A PhD in Plasma Physics or equivalent experience studying plasmas is essential. You will be familiar with, and have experience of, large-scale laser-plasma experiments, diagnostic design and of developing advanced data analysis techniques capable of working with disparate datasets to produce meaningful comparisons between model predictions of experimental, and experimental measurement.

As part of the role, you will be expected to work closely with technical and scientific staff at based at Omega and other laser facilities as well as members of the research team based at STFC and Warwick, the team consists of PhD students, post-docs, academic staff and senior scientists.

Interview date: 3 February 2021

For informal enquiries: please contact Nigel Woolsey on nigel.woolsey@york.ac.uk. Alternatively you may contact phys-hr@york.ac.uk  

The University is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community  – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.

A place where we can ALL be ourselves #EqualityatYork

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