Experimental Plasma Physicist / Fusion Research Scientist

Experimental Plasma Physicist / Fusion Research Scientist Recognition Fusion Austin, TX Job Details Full-time | Contract $80,000 - $120,000 a year 23 hours ago Benefits Paid time off Flexible schedule Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy Physics Research data analysis Electrical Engineering Python Optical imaging Full Job Description About Recognition Fusion Recognition Fusion is hiring PhD-level scientists and engineers to help develop and test a new fusion control approach. We are interested in candidates across experimental plasma physics, fusion engineering, applied plasma physics, plasma diagnostics, control systems, computational plasma physics, gyrokinetics, MHD, and nuclear engineering. This is a broad research role for people who can help us design better experiments, interpret data honestly, build technical credibility, and move from early plasma-control results toward more rigorous fusion validation. What you'll work on: Design and evaluate plasma-control experiments with university and lab partners. Analyze plasma diagnostics, fluctuations, instabilities, transport, and control response. Help translate control theory into experimentally testable protocols. Build or evaluate models connecting experimental results to reactor-relevant fusion behavior. Support simulation work involving gyrokinetics, MHD, turbulence, confinement, or transport. Help define next-step experiments on linear plasma devices, tokamaks, stellarators, mirror machines, pulsed-power systems, or other relevant platforms. Assess engineering implications for fusion systems, including control architecture, diagnostics, thermal systems, materials, shielding, neutronics, or reactor integration. Relevant Backgrounds We are open to PhDs or equivalent deep technical experience in: Experimental plasma physics Fusion plasma physics Applied plasma physics Fusion engineering Control systems for physical systems Plasma diagnostics and signal processing Computational plasma physics Gyrokinetics, MHD, turbulence, or transport modeling Nuclear engineering Pulsed power, RF systems, or high-voltage experimental systems What we're looking for PhD in plasma physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a related field Hands-on experimental experience on at least one plasma device (linear, tokamak, stellarator, or pinch) Strong experimental design and statistical analysis skills, with experience pre-registering protocols and building reproducible analysis pipelines Comfortable with Langmuir probe diagnostics, magnetic diagnostics, and standard plasma instrumentation Strong programming skills in Python (analysis pipelines, control software, data acquisition) Excellent technical writing - able to produce both peer-reviewed papers and clear internal reports for non-technical stakeholders Willingness to travel to university facilities

Pay:

$80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off

Work Location:

Remote