Fusion Materials Scientist

Gauss Fusion is a European greentech venture focused on engineering and industrialising magnetic confinement fusion power plants. The company is working to lead the commercialisation of fusion energy, with the goal of delivering its first gigawatt-class fusion power plant, the Gauss GIGA-Kraftwerk, by 2045. It connects leading fusion scientists with experienced European industrial fusion technology experts and operates at venture speed through a combination of private and public partnerships. The company's mission is rooted in producing clean, renewable fusion energy to secure long-term energy independence and address climate change. Gauss Fusion pursues high-field magnetic confinement fusion as what it considers the fastest viable path to commercial fusion energy production, and plans to integrate fusion power into the grid as a reliable base load provider that complements intermittent renewable energy sources. What distinguishes Gauss Fusion is its industrially grounded approach: it was founded by companies with hands-on fusion technology experience, applies best practices from industry, and leverages the existing infrastructure of former nuclear fission power plant sites to accelerate construction timelines and reduce costs. The company also collaborates with world-leading scientific and technology institutions and works proactively with regulatory authorities to streamline the licensing process for fusion power plants.

About the role

GFG is looking for a Fusion Materials Scientist to work across various aspects of material science. The role connects design, Materials properties, Materials Concepts, manufacturing, and supply-chain work, in collaboration with industrial partners, universities and national and international laboratories.

The successful candidate will support Gauss Fusion's current and planned materials portfolio, including low-activation steels, first-wall and blanket interfaces, SiC-based materials, shielding materials, breeder-material lifecycles and irradiation-relevant qualification. Assignments may include activities along a broad range of Projects, according to active priorities and approved project scopes.

Main responsibilities

• Translate plant and component functions, load cases, interfaces, safety requirements and lifetime targets into materials requirements and acceptance criteria
• Lead materials activities across metals, ceramics, composites, coatings, joints, breeder materials and shielding materials
• Define qualification strategies and phased test programmes from material screening and coupons to representative mock-ups and components
• Plan and review chemical, microstructural, mechanical and thermophysical characterization, including corrosion and compatibility, permeation, fatigue, thermal cycling, high-heat-flux and irradiation-relevant testing as applicable
• Assess degradation and failure mechanisms and translate test evidence into design decisions, operating limits and lifetime assessments
• Provide materials input to mechanical design, manufacturing routes, joining and coating development, neutronics and activation, tritium management and nuclear-safety activities
• Define specimen matrices, test protocols, data-quality requirements, uncertainty treatment, traceability and technical acceptance criteria
• Develop materials specifications, databases and qualification evidence, and support code-entry and licensing-readiness roadmaps
• Review supplier and partner deliverables, facilities, process genealogy, quality records and non-destructive examination plans
• Coordinate technical interfaces, deliverables, risks and decisions across research projects and support the preparation of work packages, proposals and technical reports
• Evaluate industrial scale-up, supply-chain resilience, recycling and end-of-life implications for fusion-relevant materials
• Work with Quality, Nuclear Safety and Export Control experts where materials, data or technologies require controlled handling, and attend activities at partner and supplier premises.

Qualification and educational requirements

• A master's degree or PhD in materials science, metallurgy, materials engineering, solid-state physics, nuclear engineering or a closely related field
• Technical experience:
  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in materials research, development or qualification, preferably in fusion, nuclear, aerospace, energy or another safety-relevant industry
  • Strong expertise in at least two relevant material classes or technologies, such as reduced-activation or 9Cr steels, stainless steels, tungsten and refractory metals, ceramics or composites, coatings, diffusion barriers, joints, breeder materials or shielding materials
  • Hands-on experience with materials characterization and testing, such as microscopy, chemical and phase analysis, mechanical testing, fracture or fatigue, thermophysical measurements, corrosion or environmental exposure
  • Experience defining test matrices and qualification evidence under a quality-management system, with controlled data, specimen and process traceability
  • Sound understanding of material degradation under high temperature, cyclic loads, irradiation, transmutation, corrosion or hydrogen-isotope exposure; direct fusion experience is preferred but not mandatory
  • Ability to interpret and apply relevant material, pressure-equipment or nuclear design and qualification standards, for example EN standards, ASTM, ASME BPVC or RCC-MRx
  • Experience coordinating technical work with research institutes, testing facilities, manufacturers or suppliers and producing reviewable technical documentation

Competences and preferred skills

• Strong understanding of process-structure-property-performance relationships and how they affect component design and qualification
• Ability to analyse incomplete or conflicting materials data, quantify uncertainty and make clear, evidence-based recommendations
• Familiarity with materials databases, statistical analysis or computational materials and lifetime-modelling tools is an advantage
• Experience working with industrial suppliers and research partners on technical scope, test plans and deliverables
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical approach to experimental planning
• Clear technical writing, documentation and presentation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams spanning design, neutronics, manufacturing, quality, safety and commercial functions
• Familiarity with magnetic fusion, fission or other nuclear systems is preferred but not mandatory
• Proficiency in English; the ability to communicate in German and/or French is preferred