Fusion Plasma Physicist – Diagnostics & Fast-Ion Transport

Thea Energy is building an economical and scalable fusion energy system utilizing arrays of mass manufacturable magnets and dynamic software controls. Commercial fusion energy can uniquely provide a abundant source of zero-emission power for a sustainable future. Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in computation and controls to reinvent the stellarator, a scientifically mature form of magnetic fusion technology. Thea Energy was founded in 2022 as a spin-out of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Princeton University, where the stellarator was originally invented. Thea Energy is currently designing its first integrated fusion system, Eos, based on its planar coil stellarator architecture which will produce fusion neutrons at scale and in steady-state.

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future. 

 

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Experimental Plasma Physicist to join our research team. In this role, you will design, deploy, and plan operation of cutting-edge plasma diagnostics, spearhead experimental campaigns focused on fast-ion transport dynamics and actively collaborate with external academic and national laboratory partners.

It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.  

  

Diversity and Inclusion:  

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.  

 

• Design, build, and calibrate advanced plasma diagnostics (e.g., optical emission spectroscopy, laser-based diagnostics, probes, fast-ion loss detectors) tailored to Eos stellarator magnetic configurations.
• Oversee vacuum system integration, high-magnetic-field hardware setup, and signal processing chains.
• Maintain and upgrade diagnostic hardware to ensure reliable, high-resolution data acquisition during experimental runs.
• Design and develop experimental campaigns targeting fast-ion transport, wave-particle interactions, and confinement physics.
• Formulate experimental proposals, set operational parameters, and execute run plans on experimental plasma facilities.
• Analyze complex multi-diagnostic datasets using Python, MATLAB, or modern scientific software to extract physical parameters (e.g., density profiles, velocity distributions, and fluctuation spectrums).
• Serve as a key liaison to external entities, including academic institutions, national laboratories, and international research consortia.
• Co-author peer-reviewed journal articles and represent the organization at major conferences (e.g., APS Division of Plasma Physics).
• Mentor graduate students, junior researchers, and intern cohorts in laboratory safety, experimental protocols, and data analysis pipelines.

• Education: Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, Fusion Science, Applied Physics, or a closely related engineering/scientific discipline.
• Experimental Track Record: Proven hands-on experience working in a plasma physics laboratory setting (e.g., low-temperature magnetized plasma, dusty plasma, or magnetic confinement fusion devices).
• Diagnostics Expertise: Demonstrated experience developing, operating, or analyzing data from plasma diagnostics (spectroscopy, Langmuir/Emissive probes, fast camera imaging, or particle detectors).
• Data Analysis & Modeling: Proficiency with quantitative data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, Julia) and familiarity with transport modeling software or synthetic diagnostic codes.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of cross-institutional scientific collaboration.

Preferred / Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with strongly magnetized plasma environments (e.g., tokamaks, stellarators, superconducting magnet facilities or high-field discharge systems).
• Background in fast-ion loss modeling or validation of fast-ion diagnostic synthetic models.
• Active involvement in scientific outreach, or mentoring programs.

Salary range $100,000 - $120,000

Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)

Employee equity stock options

20 days PTO