FURTHER INFORMATION

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Simon Bland (sn.bland@imperial.ac.uk) and Roland Smith (r.a.smith@imperial.ac.uk )
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don’t hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We’re here to help.

AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don’t hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We’re here to help.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Postdoc exploring hydrodynamics and atomic physics processes for inertial fusion energy research.
The role will involve making cutting edge measurements of dynamics and atomic physics processes in dense plasmas created on the MAGPIE pulsed power facility at Imperial College London, and collaborating on experiments to extend this research on facilities around the world.

WHAT YOU WOULD BE DOING

The role will involve working on new laser based diagnostics to measure hydrodynamics and atomic physics processes on MAGPIE at Imperial College using the Cerberus high energy laser system. The successful candidate would be expected to grow into the role, including exploring new shock-based pressure amplification techniques, and methods to measure heat and radiation transport in complex geometries with hot dense plasmas adjacent to relatively cold, condensed anvil/liner materials.
The early part of the postdoc will include becoming familiar with our research, supporting the work of other staff and students whilst exploring topics related to magnetised and unmagnetized plasma flows and methods to produce and analyse instabilities and turbulence in plasmas.
You would then design and lead your own experiments, including developing more advanced diagnostic techniques for analysing plasma properties – e.g. the use of a high energy pulse laser to locally heat a plasma, then exploring its dynamics as it cools through Thompson scattering with multiple temporarily resolved measurements of density, temperature and ionisation in the same experiment.
With the aim of extending our research to higher pressures, densities and temperature you would collaborate with partners in the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership with First Light Fusion to explore the use of external laser and z-pinch facilities offering significantly higher energy densities.