Scientist, Research Scientist

University of Rochester:
Office of the Provost:
Academic Center: LLE-Laboratory for Laser Energ

** Salary Range or Pay Grade*
* $,000

** Description*
* The URochester has exciting opportunities for scientists to join the Laser-Plasma Interactions Group in the PULSE Division at LLE, while collaborating directly with plasma scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory-potentially stationed h the success of inertial confinement fusion, the community is evaluating next generation facilities to support the stockpile stewardship mission. One of LLE's roles is to push the current understanding through simulations of the effects of laser-bandwidth on laser-plasma instabilities relevant to laser indirect drive and direct-drive fusion in future experiments aimed at delivering GJ-class yields.

A key to inertial fusion is the mitigation of laser-plasma instabilities, and the team is developing the scientific understanding of how laser bandwidth can be applied to reach the goal of robust ignition through both experiments and modeling.  In 2026, the Fourth generation Laser for Ultra broadband eXperiments (FLUX) will begin experiments on the OMEGA Facility to demonstrate the mitigation of LPIs using laser bandwidth.

These focused experiments will test our understanding of how laser bandwidth mitigates single-beam LPI (e.g., filamentation, stimulated Brillouin or Raman scattering) and multi-beam instabilities like cross-beam energy transfer and two-plasmon decay instability. Modeling to support these experiments will use the codes pF3D, LPSE (Laser Plasma Simulation Environment), OSIRIS, and WARP-X, which are the foundation of our team's development of reduced LPI models that are being implemented in radiation-hydrodynamics codes.

The successful candidate will join an excellent team of accomplished experimental and computational scientists. The candidate will have direct responsibility to support the development of our understanding of the effects of bandwidth on laser-plasma instabilities relevant to future fusion experiments. Candidates will be expected to actively pursue publications in peer reviewed journals and present their work at national and international conferences.

** Qualifications*
* + Ph.D.

+ Up to 10 years experience

** Application Instructions*
* + a cover letter;

+ a curriculum vitae and a list of publications;

+ at least two letters of recommendation

SALARY RANGE: $100,000 to $140,000

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates are set within the job's compensation range, and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

** Equal Employment Opportunity Statement*
* EOE, including disability/protected veterans

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