Computational Plasma Physicist – Transport Modeling

About Thea Energy: 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.Position Overview:As a transport modeling physicist at Thea Energy, you will be an architect of our plasma performance projections. You will apply advanced kinetic and fluid models to characterize heat, particle, and momentum transport in highly-optimized stellarator geometries. Your objective is to transform fundamental physics into actionable constraints, guiding our equilibrium+coil optimization and operational scenarios to ensure the success of our next generation fusion devices.Key Responsibilities:Perform/analyze integrated modeling simulations to predict performance and develop scenarios for Thea Energy’s Eos and Helios stellaratorsUtilize gyrokinetic, fluid, and/or reduced transport solvers to provide projections of confinement, heat, particle, and momentum transportMaintain and extend existing gyrokinetic and transport frameworksBuild reproducible simulation pipelines and data analysis tools to streamline the design-to-validation loopUse insights from turbulence and transport analysis to guide equilibrium and coil optimizationCollaborate with the physics and engineering team to develop scenarios and interpret results from current hardwareRequired Experience & Skillsets:Qualifications:PhD in Plasma Physics, Computational Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. (Candidates with a Master’s degree and 3+ years of direct experience in transport/turbulence modeling will be considered)Strong understanding of gyrokinetic theory and transport processesExpertise in developing scientific simulation codes using Python, C++, or FortranProven experience working in Linux-based HPC environments with a focus on code scalability and performancePreferred Skills:Direct experience running core (e.g. GENE, stella, CGYRO, GX) and/or edge (GENE-X, XGC, Gkeyll) gyrokinetic codesExperience with stellarator-specific equilibrium and stability codes such as VMEC, STELLOPT, DESC, and/or TERPSICHOREFamiliarity with advanced numerical methods, GPU programming, and/or developing surrogate/reduced modelsA track record of peer-reviewed publications and the ability to present complex physics to multi-disciplinary engineering teamsPersonal Attributes:Ability to manage complex projects from theory to implementation with minimal supervisionA passion for fusion energy and a desire to work in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environmentRigorous approach to code verification and physics validationCompany Benefits: Salary range $100,000 - $140,000Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)Employee equity stock options20 days PTOIt’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.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.