Senior Staff Associate in Magnaetically Confined Plasma Research

The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM) at Columbia University in the City of New York invites applications for a Senior Staff Associate position in the area of magnetically confined plasma research.

The successful candidate will advance research in magnetically confined plasmas and support the broader goals of the Columbia Fusion Research Center. In the tokamak area, the candidate may conduct research on experimental tokamak facilities in the public sector. Examples include the DIII-D tokamak located at General Atomics or the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade located at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, or tokamaks located abroad. In the stellarator area, the candidate may conduct research in coil optimization, energetic particle physics, and other related activities. Activities may also be conducted in support of industrially sponsored research contracts originating from a wide array of sponsors, including concepts beyond tokamaks and stellarators. The successful candidate will also be expected to assist in the mentorship of junior researchers and students. In addition, the candidate is expected to conduct both supporting and independent research towards the execution of the Columbia Fusion Research Center research program, likely supporting multiple research awards.

Candidates for professional officer of research positions are expected to have established their ability to conduct original, independent scientist research.  All candidates for all officer of research positions are expected to be able to work well in a team and to communicate effectively the results of their research or research activities both orally and in writing.

The level of appointment is commensurate with experience.  The earliest position is expected to begin on approximately Jun 1st 2026 or sooner if possible.

Minimum Qualifications: M.S. (or equivalent professional degree) in physics or a related field, and experience with different computer environments and languages especially Python, Matlab, IDL, FORTRAN and UNIX/LINX. 

Preferred Qualifications:  Familiarity of working with magnetically confined plasma computational modeling tools and their application to interpret experimental data. Familiarity with magnetically confined plasma experimental data and measurement methods. Demonstrated track record of mentorship. Publications in top-rated journals in the field and presentations at national and international conferences

Candidates should be open to relocation to the New York City area.

The search will close no sooner than April 1st 2026 and will remain open until the positions are filled.

Applicants are encouraged to consult http://www.apam.columbia.edu for more information about the department, and https://fusion.columbia.edu for more information about the Columbia Fusion Research Center.

Columbia University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.   

Minimum Degree Required:    

M.S. in (specialization) or related field.

Candidates for professional officer of research positions are expected to have established their ability to conduct original, independent scientist research.  All candidates for all officer of research positions are expected to be able to work well in a team and to communicate effectively the results of their research or research activities both orally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity of working with magnetically confined plasma computational modeling tools and their application to interpret experimental or simulated data. Familiarity with magnetically confined plasma experimental data and measurement methods. Demonstrated track record of mentorship. Publications in top-rated journals in the field and presentations at national and international conferences.

Applicant should apply on-line at the following URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/183800

Applications must include: (a) curriculum vitae (b) statement of research (c) names of at least three references who may be asked to provide letters.

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