Associate Research Scientist - Strategic Science Initiative Fellowship; SSI

Position: Associate Research Scientist - Strategic Science Initiative Fellowship (SSI)

Department PPPL Office of the Director

Category Research and Laboratory

Job Type Full-Time

Overview

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks exceptional postdoctoral researchers with demonstrated leadership potential to play a major role in opening new research directions at our national laboratory. Selected fellows will serve as associate research scientists and will have the opportunity to conduct impactful research at a world-leading research institution.

Prioritized Research Areas Fusion Science and Technology

• Develop spin-polarized fuels and next-generation ion beam technologies to push the frontier of plasma performance.
• Engineer radiation-hardened robotics and sensor systems for remote maintenance and reliable fusion operations.

Artificial Intelligence

• Develop advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) solutions for fusion science and operations.
• Build and apply foundation models and surrogate models to speed analysis and optimize performance.
• Design and maintain digital twins of fusion devices, including autonomous control systems, to accelerate discovery, enhance reliability and reduce operational costs.

Discovery Plasma Science

• Understand fundamental plasma processes: magnetic reconnection, shocks, instabilities and turbulence and dynamos.
• Increase understanding of high-energy-density (HED) plasma processes, including processes relevant to magnetized HED phenomena and inertial fusion energy.
• Advance the science and technology of low-temperature plasmas and diagnostics for fundamental plasma science and for applications such as propulsion.

Applied Materials and Electromanufacturing

• Advance plasma processing science and electrified manufacturing technology.
• Use high performance computing, machine learning and advanced numerical schemes for accelerating low temperature plasma simulations.
• Understand the science of electrochemical, pulsed electrical heating and plasma-assisted catalysis and chemical synthesis.

Successful candidates will work with researchers at PPPL and may also propose to join one or more of the range of scientific collaborations in which PPPL scientists participate. Fellows will lead, publish, present and disseminate innovative and impactful research results relevant to the scientific and research diversification goals of PPPL. Fellowship awards are subject to the availability of a project mentor, so applicants are encouraged to develop project ideas as early as possible with PPPL research experts.

To ensure consideration for the fellowship, applicants will submit a cover letter describing their areas of expertise, research focus, and how your work aligns with your career goals and PPPL's mission and a CV for initial consideration no later than Jan. 31, 2026. If selected for an interview, candidates will be asked to give a research presentation, and 2-3 letters of recommendation will be requested at that time.

Fellowship awardees must be able to start the fellowship position no later than September 2026.

This position is a three-year term assignment, renewable annually. PPPL strives for a minimum two-year commitment.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Lead, publish, present and disseminate innovative and impactful research results relevant to PPPL's mission.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. conferred within five years at the time of application or completion of Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.
• Ph.D. in plasma physics, fusion science, engineering (e.g., nuclear, mechanical, electrical, materials, chemical, systems), computer science (e.g., advanced computing and AI for Science), physical chemistry, applied mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience in topical area(s) aligned with PPPL's mission.
• Evidence of academic achievement with potential for scientific and strategic leadership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated technical and scientific excellence, high quality publication record, strong communication and presentation skills, skills to help advance an engaged workforce, ability to work effectively in a team environment, leadership potential, and strategic thinking and planning skills.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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