Doctoral Candidate (PhD) in the area of edge-plasma physics in magnetic fusion devices

PhD Positions 28. januar 2018
(Finland)

Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto University has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and nearly 400 professors. Our campuses are located in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland.

The Department of Applied Physics at the School of Science is looking for a

Doctoral Candidate (PhD) in the area of edge-plasma physics in magnetic fusion devices

to the Fusion and Plasma Physics Group (https://physics.aalto.fi/en/groups/fusion/). The group focuses on experimental and computational plasma physics in magnetically confined fusion experiments. The PhD project aims to improve understanding of the physics of the tokamak edge plasma for ITER and future burning plasma experiments by interpretative analysis of measurements in present devices, such as JET, ASDEX Upgrade and DIII-D, and predictions from state-of-the-art numerical simulations, like EDGE2D-EIRENE and SOLPS. The primary physics goals of these studies are controlling particle and power exhaust, and minimizing plasma-wall interaction in magnetically confined fusion devices.

Job description

The successful candidate will be trained in analysing experimental data from the aforementioned devices and in executing plasma edge codes to interpret these data. As a team member, she or he is anticipated to participate in experiments, in data mining and analysis of past and on-going experiments, and in carrying out simulations utilizing existing edge codes. She or he will be working in a team of senior and junior research members toward development and implementation of new physics models in these computational tools. The successful candidate is expected to document and publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals, and to present results at external conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings. At Aalto University a PhD dissertation includes 3-4 peer-reviewed publications within four years. While the primary location of the studies will be at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo, the research pertaining to the thesis will be carried out in collaboration with JET in the UK, ASDEX Upgrade in Germany, or other European or outside-Europe fusion research facilities. The candidate is expected to spend some time at these research facilities.

Requirements

As a successful candidate for this position, you should have:

  • M.Sc. degree in plasma physics or a related field
  • Experience in computer programming languages, such as Fortran or C
  • Experience with data analysis programming languages, such as Python, IDL or Matlab
  • Proficient verbal and written communication skills in English necessary to work in a multidisciplinary environment, to author technical and scientific reports and publications, and to deliver scientific presentations

The primary language of communication within the Fusion and Plasma Physics Group is English.

Skills, knowledge and abilities in the following areas are highly desirable:

  • Experience in at least one of these fields: plasma or optical diagnostics, data analysis or computational physics; experience in high performance computing highly desirable

Duration and salary

The fixed term Doctoral Candidate contract is initially for two years, followed by an extension for another two-year period after intermediate evaluation. The total duration of the position is four years, upon successful completion of a mid-term exam after 1-1/2 years. The annual workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is 1624 hours.

Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities and we provide them upon request.. The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare.

The position will be located at the Aalto University Otaniemi Campus and will involve extensive collaboration and possible international assignment/s to experimental facilities in the UK, Germany and elsewhere.

For more Information

For additional information, please contact the Head of the Group, Professor Mathias Groth, tel. +358 50 3640 495, or in recruitment process related questions HR-coordinator Stefan Ehrstedt, tel. +358 50 340 7662. E-mails: firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.

Applying

Please send your application at earliest convenience to the Aalto University recruitment system, by February 23, 2018 by applying through the ‘Apply for this job’ button at the end of the web page.

To apply for the position, please submit your application in one single PDF file including (all documents in English):

  • Letter of motivation (max. one page)
  • Copy of M.Sc. degree and English version of transcript of completed M.Sc. courses
  • CV (max. two pages), including references
  • List of publications, if applicable

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period and to consider also candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

Espoo, January 23, 2018

Aalto University

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Post expires on Friday February 23rd, 2018