Postdoctoral Researcher / Plasma Physicist (m/f/div)

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) as an institute of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (registered association) is one of the leading centers for fusion research and is engaged in developing the physical foundations for a future fusion power plant. The institute is affiliated to the European Fusion Programme.

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching offers within the department ITER Technology and Diagnostics (ITED) a position for a

Postdoctoral Researcher / Plasma Physicist (m/f/div)

As a member of the Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) team at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching, the candidate will participate in the experiments of the RF-driven negative ion source at the test facilities BATMAN Upgrade and ELISE that are an essential part of the Euro­pean step ladder approach towards ITER NBI. He / she will be responsible for planning, opera­ting, and analyzing dia­gnos­tics installed at both test facilities, focusing on Langmuir probes and emission spectroscopy (OES). The work will be performed in Garching together with the IPP NBI team. Strong colla­boration with the NBTF team and related experiments is requested.

Your tasks

• Actively participate in the experiments of the test facilities ELISE and BATMAN Upgrade
• Operate and maintain source diagnostics installed on the test facilities with focus on electrical probe measurements and OES
• Contribute to the experimental programs for systematic measurement of source properties
• Further develop or upgrade the diagnostic systems
• Summarize the results and present them in meetings, conferences, and reports
• Collaborate with other European partners working in the same field, in particular a close collaboration with NBTF

Your profile

• PhD degree in physics or equivalent fields
• Experience in plasma diagnostics of low-temperature plasmas
• Experience in Langmuir probes and/or OES is an advantage

Your abilities

• Very good knowledge of plasma physics, in particular low-temperature plasmas
• Good knowledge of negative ion source physics and technology is beneficial
• Good knowledge of data acquisition systems, data evaluation, and visualization
• Experience in experiments at RF-driven plasma sources is an advantage
• Good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, high competence in team working

We offer

• An interesting job at one of the largest research institutes for fusion research
• Flexible working hours
• Training and further education opportunities
• Family service of the Max Planck Society
• Further social benefits (e.g., company pension scheme, capital-forming benefits, discounted public transport tickets)

The position will be based in Garching, Germany. The initial assignment will be until December 31, 2025, with a possible extension until December 31, 2027. The extension will be, however, subject to funding availability and extension of the EUROfusion Grant Agreement in 2026–27. The selected candidate has to be approved by EUROfusion in a second application process. The salary is based on the assign­ment of tasks and qualifications and goes up to pay group 13 according to the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD Bund).

The IPP seeks to increase the proportion of employed women in those areas where they are under­represented and explicitly encourages women to apply for this position. The IPP is committed to employing more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

For information on data protection and the handling of your personal data please visit our website https://www.ipp.mpg.de/4837164/datenschutz.

Are you interested?

Then we are looking forward to your complete online application until January 18, 2025.