POSITION OVERVIEW
Position Title: Assistant Researcher
Start Date: Position is available starting July 1, 2022
APPLICATION WINDOW
Open March 21st, 2022 through Saturday, Apr 30, 2022 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Plasma Diagnostics Group (PDG–https://plasma-diagnostics-group.physics.ucla.edu) in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA invites outstanding candidates to apply for a full-time (100%) appointment as an Assistant Researcher in the area of Plasma and Fusion Physics. The appointee will engage in independent, creative experimental research within the broad area of fast-ion physics in spherical tokamak fusion research plasmas. The research will take place in two world-leading spherical tokamak facilities, NSTX-U and MAST-U. NSTX-U (the National Spherical Torus eXperiment Upgrade–https://nstx-u.pppl.gov) is located at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Princeton (PPPL), NJ, USA. MAST-U (the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade–https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/research/mast-upgrade/) is located at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) in the UK. The position is open starting July 2022 and the appointee will be stationed full time at PPPL, with an option for long term visits to CCFE.

NSTX-U and MAST-U are innovative magnetic fusion devices in the spherical tokamak configuration with research programs that bring together physics and engineers from countries all around the world. Both tokamaks feature a powerful suites of plasma diagnostics and world-leading high power, high energy neutral beam injection capability. These capabilities will enable new opportunities for advances in many areas of fast-ion physics including fast-ion driven instabilities and fast-ion transport, as well as their interaction with turbulence and impacts on fast-ion current drive and heating. The appointee will work in close collaboration with other members of the PDG and the NSTX-U research team, and collaborate in the MAST-U program as part of the NSTX-U research team. NSTX-U is expected to start experimental operations in 2024, while MAST-U is currently preparing for its 2022 experimental campaign.

The appointee will be responsible for identifying and pursuing novel, high-value opportunities for advances in fast-ion physics that exploit the unique capabilities of NSTX-U and MAST-U. In practice, this will consist of leading or collaborating in the design and execution of experiments, the performance of related modeling and dissemination of the results through presentations at conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals. In addition, the appointee will help mentor UCLA students engaged in research in the two tokamaks and will actively participate in the preparation of grant proposals and progress reports.

The Assistant Researcher position is an academic career position that encourages and expects the appointee to grow into a role of scientific leadership (https://www.apo.ucla.edu/policies-forms/the-call/professional-research-series/professional-research-series-1). The position potentially affords the appointee the opportunity to write proposals to agencies such as the U.S. DoE and NSF for funding to support self-directed research. The initial appointment is for two years with renewal subject to satisfactory professional development and renewal of funding. Salary will follow standards for the Professional Research Series and will scale with the appointee’s experience (starting at $80,800/year, as of 7/2021). The appointment includes health and pension benefits.

Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, and a demonstrated background applicable to the area of research. Ideally, the candidate should have at least two years related work experience following receipt of a Ph.D., although exceptional candidates with less experience will be considered. Candidates should provide a curriculum vita, a publication list and a statement of research, discussing past research and possible future research if appointed. Candidates should arrange for 2–3 letters of reference to be included with the application. The PDG and the Department are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive research community. Candidates should also provide a statement that describes their past, present, and planned contributions to equity, diversity, and/or inclusion. Please submit your application materials by April 30, 2022 at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07346.
Department: https://www.pa.ucla.edu/open-positions.html

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application):

• Ph.D. in Physics or a related field
• Demonstrated background applicable to area of research
• Ideally, two years related work experience following Ph.D. Exceptional candidates with less experience will be considered.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Publication List
• Cover Letter (optional)
• Statement of Research – statement on past research and possible future research if appointed
• Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – An EDI Statement describes a candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our Sample Guidance for Candidates and related EDI Statement FAQ document.

Reference requirements

• 2-–3 letters of reference

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07346
Help contact: ncrocker@physics.ucla.edu

CAMPUS INFORMATION
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees must (a) provide proof of receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment and provide proof of Full Vaccination no later than eight weeks after their first date of employment; or (b) if applicable, submit a request for Exception or Deferral no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

JOB LOCATION
Princeton, NJ, USA