Experimental Physicist

Inertia•Livermore, CA

8h•$150,000 - $275,000

About The Position

We are seeking an Experimental Physicist to investigate and advance Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) relevant physics, including the effects of material defects on implosion performance and the radiation drive behavior of alternative hohlraum materials. This role bridges material science, plasma physics, and diagnostic analysis to improve predictive models and guide target fabrication tolerances.

Requirements

PhD in Physics, Materials Science, or related discipline and 3-5 years experience in the field.
Experience with high-energy-density physics experiments or laser–plasma interaction studies.
Proficiency in data analysis and modeling tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).

Nice To Haves

Experience working with large-scale laser facilities (NIF, OMEGA, etc.).
Knowledge of target fabrication processes and defect characterization.
Strong communication skills for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

Design and execute experiments to measure explore key physics and survival properties for Inertia’s target design.
Work closely with simulation teams to validate models and identify performance limits.
Analyze experimental data from laser-plasma experiments.
Develop new metrology and diagnostic methods to characterize material and target quality.
Document results and contribute to scientific publications and internal reports.