Plasma-Materials Scientist

Thea Energy•Kearny, NJ

7d•$100,000 - $160,000

About The Position

About Thea Energy: Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future. Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated Plasma-Materials Scientist to join our team, focusing on plasma-facing material development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in the research and development of plasma-surface interactions, with particular emphasis on material survivability evaluation, plasma and heat-induced erosion processes, and plasma contamination effects in fusion-relevant environments. You will work with high autonomy and ownership, and contribute to cutting-edge research and development in Thea Energy’s stellarator systems.

Requirements

Master's degree in materials science, engineering, applied plasma physics, chemistry, or a related field.
Knowledge of basic plasma physics.
Experience with vacuum systems.
Experience with experimental plasma setups and diagnostics such as industrial plasma sources, RF plasmas, spectroscopic diagnostics, laser-based diagnostics, and electrostatic probes.
Experience with surface analysis techniques such as electron microscopy, atomic-scale microscopy, and elemental composition analysis methods (e.g. XPS, EDX, Raman).
Experience with one or more of the following: Python, MATLAB, FEA tools, COMSOL, C++, Fortran.
Ability to work independently and manage projects.
Strong attention to detail
A passion for advancing fusion energy to commercialization.
Willingness to collaborate with a diverse team of scientists and engineers within the company and externally.

Nice To Haves

PhD in applied plasma physics or a related field.
Experience with fusion boundary plasmas and/or low-temperature plasmas.
Experience with linear plasma devices.
Experience in tokamak or stellarator divertor research.
Experience with ERO2.0, TRIDYN, SDTrimSP/TRIM, WALLDYN, or RustBCA.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the construction and commissioning of a plasma device and diagnostics for exposing and evaluating plasma-facing material candidates.
Collaborate with plasma-material exposure facilities and use materials characterization tools for surface evaluation.
Provide technical guidance across team members in plasma device operation, plasma-material performance assessment and experimental planning.
Participate in stellarator plasma-facing component operational campaign planning.
Utilize computational and simulation tools to perform plasma-surface interaction simulations, thermal analysis, and contribute to multi-physics modeling efforts.