Position Information
| Posting Number |
PG191789PD |
| Position Number |
00112398 |
| Position Type |
Post Doc |
| FLSA |
Exempt |
Departmental Information
| Department ID |
141101 - Nuclear Engineering |
| Department |
141101 - Nuclear Engineering |
| Job City & State |
Raleigh, NC |
Position Overview
| Essential Job Duties |
The
FPAC
LAB at North Carolina State University is seeking an early-career scientist to lead impurity powder injection for wall conditioning experiments and to develop a model-based controller for the impurity powder dropper (
IPD) on the
KSTAR tokamak. The position is part of the multi-institutional
DOE Office of Science
FES project that is led by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
As fusion devices transition to tungsten walls, real-time injection of low-Z powders offers a route to continuous wall conditioning without extended downtimes. The NC State scope is to deploy the
IPD to integrate wall conditioning into high-performance plasma scenarios at
KSTAR while minimizing the amount of injected impurity material.
The successful candidate will complete the
IPD feedback control loop and develop an AI-/model-based predictive controller for injection rates that can be transferred to future devices, and design control schemes for long-pulse real-time wall conditioning. The role involves close, sustained collaboration with the
KSTAR team and with U.S. collaborators, including travel to Korea for experimental campaigns.
The position is under the supervision of Dr. Florian Laggner and will be based at the Department of Nuclear Engineering in Raleigh, NC.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Develop and deploy a real-time, model-based controller for impurity powder injection on the KSTAR tokamak.
- Design and test control schemes for real-time wall conditioning in long-pulse scenarios that minimize the injected material while maintaining compatibility with high performance plasma operation.
- Develop a predictive, AI-/machine-learning-based model of IPD injection rates and powder delivery, suitable for real-time control.
- Complete the IPD feedback control loop and integrate it with the KSTAR plasma control system.
- Plan, execute and analyze experiments at KSTAR.
- Prepare and run experiments during international campaigns.
- Coordinate technical work with collaborators at PPPL and the KSTAR team.
- Communicate research results.
- Create scientific peer-reviewed publications.
- Attend conferences with oral and poster presentations.
- Provide research progress reports.
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students at NC State.
- Provide scientific direction, guidance and mentorship to students as a key member of the FPAC LAB.
|
| Other Work/Responsibilities |
|
| Wolfpack Perks and Benefits |
As a Pack member,
you belong here, and can enjoy
exclusive perks
designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our
Employee Value Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement and Leave
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
- Enhance your career with LEAD courses
Attend non-revenue generating sporting events for free.
Attain Work-life balance with our
Childcare benefits,
Wellness & Recreation Membership, and
Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered. |
Requirements and Preferences
| Work Schedule |
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, and off-hours as needed, including off-hours to support experiments in the KSTAR time zone. Flexible work arrangements are possible; domestic and international travel as needed for collaborative research, experimental campaigns |
| Department Required Skills |
n/a |
| Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education |
- Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines and move rapidly from one task area to another.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with a diverse, international project team at various career stages.
- Ability to adapt to ever-changing needs, adjust or extend working hours, and travel internationally as required.
- An ideal candidate will have one or more of the following qualifications.
- Familiarity with wall conditioning, impurity or powder injection, and plasma-material interactions.
- Experience with real-time control systems, feedback algorithms, or a tokamak plasma control system.
- Experience applying machine learning or data-driven surrogate modeling to physical or engineering systems.
- Prior experience working within an international, multi- institutional research collaboration.
|
| Required License or Certification |
n/a |
| Valid NC Driver's License required? |
No |
| Commercial Driver's License Required? |
No |
Recruitment Details
| Anticipated Hiring Range |
$85,000 - $90,000 per year depending on experience |
| If you anticipate multiple hires from this search, please indicate how many |
|
Applicant Information
| Quick Link |
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/236163 |
| EEO |
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or
workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. |
|
North Carolina State University
$85,000 - $90,000 per year depending on experience
Oct 14, 2026