The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks exceptional postdoctoral (post-doc) researchers - Associate Research Scientists - with demonstrated leadership potential to play a major role in opening new research direction(s) for PPPL. This postdoctoral research opportunity offers early-career science, technology, engineering, computation, applied mathematics, materials, and sustainability professionals the opportunity to conduct impactful research at a world-leading research institution. In their job application cover letter, the successful candidate will propose a succinct research plan of up to two pages of content (plus references) spanning two to three years in duration that encompasses one or more topics supporting the scientific and research diversification goals of PPPL, including but not limited to:

• Understanding spherical torus plasma regimes for reduced-cost fusion
• Advancing optimized stellarators and exploiting 3D-fields to improve tokamaks
• Developing liquid metal walls to  handle high heat fluxes and potentially increase energy confinement 
• Developing validated physics and engineering models for ITER and next-steps including Pilot Plants exploiting machine learning, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing
• Developing innovative diagnostics, technologies, and engineering for next-step devices
• Developing superconducting magnet technologies for reduced-cost fusion devices
• Optimizing plasma edge composition to improve fusion performance
• Evaluating technologies supporting tritium management and proliferation resistance
   

• Understanding fundamental plasma processes:  magnetic reconnection, shocks, instabilities and turbulence, and dynamos
• Advancing multi-messenger astronomy via simulation tools for highly relativistic plasmas
• Developing and testing emergent techniques and methods in plasma propulsion
• Increasing understanding of high-energy-density (HED) plasma processes including processes relevant to magnetized HED phenomena and Inertial Fusion Energy
   

• Advancing plasma processing science for future microelectronics
• Using machine learning for accelerating material discoveries and plasma reactor control
• Using high performance computing and advanced numerical schemes for accelerating low temperature plasma simulations
• Advancing synthesis and nanofabrication for microelectronics and quantum materials and devices
• Understanding the science of electrochemical, pulsed electrical heating, and plasma-assisted catalysis and synthesis
• Understanding the microphysics of aerosols mimicking stratospheric conditions

The successful candidate will work with researchers at PPPL and may also propose to join one or more of the wide range of domestic and international scientific collaborations PPPL scientists participate in. The successful fellow will also lead, publish, present, and disseminate innovative and impactful research results relevant to the scientific and research diversification goals of PPPL. Fellowship awards are subject to the availability of a project mentor, so applicants are encouraged to develop project ideas as early as possible with PPPL research experts.

To ensure consideration for the fellowship, applications should be submitted no later than January 13, 2025. 

Fellowship awardees should ideally be able to start the fellowship position no later than September 2025.