Postdoctoral Research Fellow

PRIMARY DETAIL

• Exciting opportunity to build your academic networks and your career
• Access cutting-edge facilities and technology
• Competitive salary and benefits

THE ROLE

An exciting opportunity for a researcher exists in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Macquarie University. We are seeking a qualified Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a team with international reputation for producing high quality research outcomes in the area of Inertial Confinement Fusion.

The successful candidate will predominantly work on an industry-linked research project “Towards non-thermal hydrogen-boron fusion” supported by the Australian Research Council. The purpose of the position is to undertake research validating and developing new approaches to optimise various aspects of intense laser interaction with matter to reach the conditions for effective non-thermal fusion burn of boron fuels exposed to laser-accelerated intense proton beams. Primarily, the tasks are to be done by means of analytical calculations and high-performance computing simulations in a strong link with the industrial partner (HB11 Energy) and existing experimental and theoretical research collaboration.

Reporting to Prof. Alexander Fuerbach, you will:

• Conduct complex numerical simulations and theoretical studies of dense laser plasmas and intense laser interactions with matter using particle-in-cell (PIC), hydrodynamic, and/or Fokker-Planck open and proprietary simulation packages.

• Investigate and develop different physical approaches to optimise non-thermal hydrogen-boron laser fusion, including studies on laser-plasma particle acceleration, ion stopping power, dynamics and kinetics of high-density and strongly non-equilibrium plasmas (suprathermal ion distribution), burn wave propagation, radiation properties of hot dense plasmas, and mitigation of hot plasma radiation cooling.

• Study nonlinear laser-plasma interaction to develop new techniques for optimisation/modification of the laser pulse parameters, such as pulse focusing, filamentation, chirping, and temporal compression. 

• Validate computational codes and implement theoretical models of dense laser plasmas and laser-matter interactions with respect to obtained experimental data.

• Advise the industry partner (HB11 Energy), identify perspective scientific directions and prepare expert summaries/reviews on the progress in laser fusion.

• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students involved in the project.

We very much look forward to hearing from applicants who have demonstrated excellence in their past research, have several of the technical skills required to match the demands of this project, and who are keen to engage in a project that involves collaboration with academic and industry partners.

About Us

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is a young and dynamic faculty driven by the spirit of discovery. Here we nurture the next generation of science and technology innovators. From a handful of students on the University’s first day, the faculty now serves over 8,000 students across all our courses.

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Macquarie University is a vibrant and innovative community that is nationally and international recognised for our areas of research excellence. The school includes Mathematicians, Astronomers, Physicists and Statisticians, who develop theoretical and practical tools for solving problems in diverse fields of application. We collaborate locally, nationally, and internationally with academic and industrial partners across the whole spectrum of mathematical and physical sciences.

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation 59 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we’ve grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for this position, applicants must address the selection criteria below, and attach your CV (including a list of two referees), a statement of research interests and achievements.

Essential

• A PhD or equivalent degree in plasma physics/high energy density science/computational science.

• Experience in computational plasma physics particularly focused on dense laser plasma and/or nuclear materials and/or inertial fusion.

• Strong theoretical and analytical background in plasma dynamics, laser-plasma interaction, electrodynamics, and material science.

• Expertise in developing and applying modern plasma/HED simulation codes based on particle-in-cell and/or molecular dynamics and/or fluid dynamics methods.

• Expertise in using modern high performance computation facilities and parallel computing clusters (CPU and GPU).

• Excellent publication record and demonstrated conference presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to operate within a diverse, multicultural and international research collaboration. Substantial flexibility to operate across different time zones.

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to conduct industry-focused research projects or public-private-partnership initiatives with strict timelines and defined goals.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise postgraduate students.

• Experience in High Performance Computing hardware maintenance and software administration.

Salary package: from $115,787 to $136,995 (Level B) p.a., plus 17% employer’s superannuation and annual leave loading.

Appointment Type: Full-time, fixed term for 18 months

Enquiries:  Prof. Alexander Fuerbach at [email protected]

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

20/05/2024 11:59 PM

Diversity and Inclusion

22/04/2024