Computational Physicist

Fuse•San Leandro, CA

58d

About The Position

We are seeking a talented and motivated Computational Physicist to join our team. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in physics, mathematics, and computational methods to develop models and simulations that explore complex physical systems and phenomena. Your work will contribute to advancements in areas such as materials science, energy, aerospace, or quantum computing, depending on the company’s focus.

Requirements

Ph.D. or M.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
Strong background in computational plasma physics and high-energy-density physics.
Experience with Screamer, MAGIC, HYDRA, or similar circuit and plasma codes.
Proficiency in MHD and PIC simulation techniques.
Solid understanding of pulsed power systems, high-voltage engineering, and plasma diagnostics.
Strong programming skills in Python, Fortran, C++, or MATLAB for numerical modeling.
Experience with HPC environments and parallel computing
Strong foundation in theoretical physics, including knowledge of quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, electromagnetism, or statistical mechanics.
Strong problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Must be able to travel and work extended hours/weekends as needed.
ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Z-pinch, MagLIF, dense plasma focus devices, and fusion energy concepts.
Experience in finite element analysis (FEA) or finite difference time domain (FDTD) methods.
Knowledge of electromagnetic wave propagation and plasma-material interactions.
Experience working in experimental plasma physics or fusion research.
Strong publication record in computational physics or related fields.
Background in developing custom software tools for physical simulations.
Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git) and collaboration platforms.
Prior experience publishing research or contributing to academic journals and conferences.

Responsibilities

Develop and run simulations for pulsed power systems using MHD, PIC, and circuit models.
Utilize and modify Screamer circuit code for modeling high-voltage pulse generation and delivery.
Conduct magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations to study plasma dynamics in fusion and Z-pinch configurations.
Implement and analyze particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations for plasma interactions and beam dynamics.
Model impedance matching in Marx generators and analyze energy coupling in plasma loads.
Collaborate with experimentalists to validate models and optimize system performance.
Develop custom computational tools and optimize existing codes for high-performance computing (HPC).
Analyze and interpret large data sets, extracting meaningful insights and presenting findings in clear, concise reports.
Develop software tools and algorithms to optimize simulation processes and improve computational efficiency.
Stay up to date with advancements in computational techniques, programming languages, and physical theories to apply state-of-the-art methodologies to projects.
Contribute to academic papers, technical reports, and presentations, sharing results with both internal teams and external collaborators.
Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.