Plasma Physicist
- Toronto, ON, Canada
- Greater Toronto Area, Canada, Canada
Full-time
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Job details
- Job type
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Experience
- · Experience: 5+ years of post-doctoral or senior research experience executing computational plasma physics and magnetic confinement optimization programs.
- Posting language
- English
- Posted
Original job description
About Stellarex Energy
At Stellarex Energy, we are building foundational technology for the clean energy transition by harnessing stellarator fusion to provide safe, reliable, and carbon-free baseload power. Turning this ambitious physics and engineering goal into industrial reality requires an exceptional, mission-driven team. If you are ready to solve one of humanity's greatest technological challenges and build transformative hardware from the ground up, we invite you to join our team in the Greater Toronto Area.
Role Overview
Stellarex Energy is seeking an outstanding, highly technical Plasma Physicist to drive the physics design and optimization of our prototype stellarator facility in the Greater Toronto Area. Reporting to the technical leadership of the project, you will serve as a technical specialist in optimizing 3D magnetic field geometry to achieve superior plasma confinement. In this key role, you will integrate advanced numerical modeling and theoretical physics across plasma shaping, fast particle/alpha confinement, turbulent transport reduction, energy confinement scaling, and high-beta equilibrium, bridging fundamental physics calculations directly into engineering coil design baselines.
Core Responsibilities
· Magnetic Geometry Optimization: Drive the multi-variable optimization of 3D non-axisymmetric magnetic field configurations to maximize plasma performance, stability, and operational margins.
· Fast Particle & Alpha Confinement: Execute physics modeling and codes to minimize energetic ion/alpha particle losses, ensuring neoclassical transport optimization and robust heat load management.
· Turbulence & Transport Control: Analyze micro-instabilities, gyrokinetic turbulence, and turbulent transport reduction strategies to enhance global energy confinement times.
· High-Beta Stability & Equilibrium: Evaluate 3D MHD equilibrium, finite-beta stability limits, and magnetic island divertor topologies to support stable, high-density plasma operations.
· Engineering Physics Integration: Translate optimized magnetic flux surfaces and boundary conditions into actionable engineering requirements for high-field superconducting magnet coil designers.
Required Qualifications & Experience
· Education: Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related computational field.
· Experience: 5+ years of post-doctoral or senior research experience executing computational plasma physics and magnetic confinement optimization programs.
· Stellarator Physics Expertise: Deep technical mastery in 3D magnetic equilibrium (e.g., VMEC), neoclassical transport (e.g., STELLOPT, ROSE, NEO), gyrokinetics, or fast ion orbit dynamics.
· Computational & Codes Mastery: Proven track record developing, modifying, or deploying physics simulation codes, multi-objective optimization algorithms, and magnetics modeling tools.
· Cross-Functional Leadership: Demonstrated ability to collaborate seamlessly with magnet engineering teams, and communicate complex physics baselines to technical leadership.
Compensation & Benefits
Stellarex offers an industry-leading competitive base salary paired with meaningful company equity options, providing direct ownership in our long-term enterprise growth. We also offer comprehensive health and dental coverage, professional development support, and relocation assistance to the Greater Toronto Area.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter to careers@stellarex.energy. Stellarex Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.
More about this job
Responsibilities
Optimize 3D stellarator magnetic configurations to improve plasma performance, confinement, stability, and operational margins, including fast-particle confinement, turbulence reduction, and high-beta equilibrium. Translate physics models and optimized magnetic configurations into engineering requirements for superconducting magnet coil design.
Requirements
Requires a Ph.D. in plasma physics, nuclear engineering, applied physics, or a closely related computational field, plus at least five years of postdoctoral or senior research experience. Candidates should have deep expertise in stellarator physics and computational modeling, experience with simulation codes and optimization methods, and the ability to collaborate with magnet engineers and communicate technical findings.
Skills
- Plasma Physics
- Stellarator Physics
- 3D Magnetic Geometry Optimization
- Magnetic Equilibrium Modeling
- Neoclassical Transport
- Gyrokinetics
- Fast Ion and Alpha Particle Confinement
- Turbulent Transport Analysis
- MHD Stability Analysis
- High-Beta Equilibrium
- Computational Plasma Physics
- Multi-Objective Optimization
- Magnetics Modeling
- Engineering Physics Integration
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Benefits
- Company Equity Options
- Health Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Professional Development Support
- Relocation Assistance
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Categories
- Science & Research
- Energy
- Engineering
Keywords
- Stellarator Fusion
- Plasma Confinement
- 3D Magnetic Field Geometry
- VMEC
- STELLOPT
- ROSE
- NEO
- Neoclassical Transport
- Gyrokinetics
- Fast Ion Orbit Dynamics
- Alpha Particle Confinement
- Micro-Instabilities
- Turbulent Transport
- Energy Confinement Scaling
- 3D MHD Equilibrium
- Finite-Beta Stability
- Magnetic Island Divertor
- Magnetic Flux Surfaces
- Superconducting Magnets
- Coil Design
- Physics Simulation Codes
- Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithms
- Magnetics Modeling
- Computational Plasma Physics
- Nuclear Engineering
- Clean Energy
- Carbon-Free Baseload Power