Position: Diagnostic Physicist
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Established in 2002, General Fusion is a global leader in the race to commercialize clean fusion energy. We are pursuing a uniquely practical approach, Magnetized Target Fusion, and aim to provide zero-carbon fusion power to the grid in the early to mid-2030s. Today at our state-of-the-art labs in Richmond, BC, we’re building a groundbreaking fusion demonstration machine called Lawson Machine 26 (LM26), designed to achieve transformational technical milestones and accelerate General Fusion’s technology to commercialization. Our path to market is funded by a global syndicate of leading energy venture capital firms, industry leaders, and technology pioneers. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are looking for an experimental physicist or engineer with a strong background in physics to join the Diagnostics Team. The successful applicant will assist in maintaining, analyzing, and developing laser-based plasma diagnostics (eg interferometry and Thomson scattering). This position will involve collaboration with external experts in academia and industry.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s in physics, engineering physics or related field

Required:

• Minimum 5 years relevant work experience
• Experience working hands on with lasers and optical systems
• Design and debugging of instrumentation for experimental or industrial settings
• Ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects in collaboration with external parties
• Ability to translate basic mathematical and physics concepts into real world applications
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment
• Proven ability to work well within a team
• Strong communication skills
• Strong programming skills

Preferred:

• Laser-based plasma diagnostics; specifically heterodyned interferometry and Thomson scattering
• Vibration isolation and compensation techniques
• High power, pulsed lasers (safety, theory, alignment) especially Nd:YAG lasers
• Python programming language
• Zemax or equivalent optical design software
• Publishing scientific papers
• Good understanding of statistics
• SolidWorks or similar CAD software

The typical hiring range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. General Fusion considers many factors when determining total compensation include job specific or highly specialized knowledge, skills and experience, proficiency, job location and internal equity.

• Assist with the operation and improvement of the interferometer diagnostic. Suggest, test and implement design improvements. Assist with laser alignment. Analyze data.
• Be responsible for the development of a Thomson scattering diagnostic. Manage collaborations with external parties to develop and validate the diagnostic.
• Documentation and communication of designs and results
• Develop and maintain data analysis code
• Extend our understanding of plasmas and plasma compression by relating experimental data with theory and simulation