Research Fellow (Natural Sciences and Science Education Department) [NIE]

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 12-month contract at the Natural Sciences and Science Education Department.

Project Title: Fusion Science for Clean Energy: Gamma-ray Spectroscopy diagnostic for WEST

Project Introduction: As part of our Fusion Science for Clean Energy programme, we have one opening for a Research Fellow, to undertake experimental research on Runaway Electron (RE) beams in the WEST tokamak and in a dense plasma focus device using high-rate gamma-ray spectroscopy. RE beams typically occur during tokamak plasma disruptions and in pinched plasma disruptions in dense plasma focus devices. Bremsstrahlung scattering of these energetic electrons orbiting within the machine produce gamma-rays (of energy up to ~20 MeV) – making Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy (GRS) one of the most essential diagnostics for experimental studies of RE beams. Because they can have a large amount of energy, RE beams represent a serious risk of damage to the tokamak. Moreover, this risk increases as the size of machine increases. Consequently, research on RE beams is becoming increasingly important as the size of tokamaks will likely continue to increase over the coming decades. The GRS diagnostic measurements planned for WEST are aimed at understanding and minimizing the damage risk posed by RE beams. GRS diagnostics will be developed and tested initially in Singapore on a dense plasma focus device which also produces gamma-rays due to plasma instabilities.

Requirements:

Essential

• PhD in Physics Engineering or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in pulsed power systems, and/or plasma/x-ray/gamma-ray diagnostics.
• Demonstrated experience in handling vacuum system, high voltage (15 kV), high current (200-300 kA) pulse power systems.
• Demonstrated experience in development, operation and optimization of plasma devices and associated diagnostics.
• Experience or exposure to plasma diagnostics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare research papers and research reports.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret experimental results.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent scientific research and prepare scientific data for publication and proven ability to produce impactful publications.
• Experience in all aspects of project management from procurement of equipment and consumable to progress/final report writing.

Preferred

• Strong knowledge of lab safety issues.
• Strong knowledge of high-voltage high-current and radiation safety issues.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to work within given deadlines with an eye for details.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to assist in supervision of Ph.D. students.

Responsibilities:

• Operationalize and optimize dense plasma focus device (DPF) for runaway electron and gamma ray production.
• Assist in development of Gamma Ray Spectroscopy (GRS) diagnostics and implement it on Plasma Focus Device in NIE/NTU.
• Work on plasma and charged-particle diagnostics on plasma focus device to correlate the gamma ray emission with other emission characteristics of plasma focus device.
• Assist in preparing research reports and papers.
• Any other administrative duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE