PhD student position in Runaway electrons in fusion plasmas

Department of Physics at Chalmers - home of the Graphene Flagship
Stimulated by major needs and challenges in science and a sustainable society, the ambition of the department of Physics is to foster a creative environment for academic research, learning and outreach. We provide a competitive advantage by linking our top-level international and interdisciplinary academic performance in the areas of material science, nanotechnology and energy research with world-leading industrial R&D&I projects. We address a wide array of experimental, computational, methodological and theoretical challenges, from fundamental physics research, through the development of new materials such as graphene to direct industrial projects generating new inventions. We have a strong learning commitment on all levels from undergraduate to PhD studies where physics meet engineering.

The department is the major part of Gothenburg Physics Centre – a collaboration between four departments at Chalmers and Gothenburg University.

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Information about the project
Fusion has the potential of becoming a long-term environmentally friendly and resource efficient energy option. This PhD project concerns theoretical fusion plasma research, with focus on issues that are relevant for the large-scale fusion experiments that are in operation or under construction in Europe today. The purpose is to address one of the outstanding challenges: runaway electron generation. 

Major responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated and talented individual with experience and interest in numerical modelling. The aim of this PhD project is to develop theoretical models that are validated to current experiments regarding runaway electron dynamics and to use them to make predictions on the implications for the design of future ones. The work will be performed in close collaboration with theoreticians and experimentalists at Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, EPFL in Lausanne and Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT.

As a PhD student, your major responsibilities are to pursue your doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, in English. A maximum of 20% of your time will be devoted to other duties than your PhD studies, mainly teaching on undergraduate level. The remaining time will be devoted to your own research and courses within the research topic. You will be employed by Chalmers and will receive a salary according to current salary agreements.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in physics. As for all PhD studies, a genuine interest and curiosity in the subject matter and excellent analytical and communication skills in speaking and in writing are required. For this PhD position, prior experience in fusion plasma physics related research documented e.g. via contribution to international conference presentations and internships in fusion plasma laboratories, as well as experience in C/C++ and MATLAB programming are required. 

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20170164 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV, incl two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number) 
• 1-3 pages where you introduce yourself and present your qualifications.

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 1st of May 2017


For questions, please contact:

Tünde  Fülöp +46 31-772 31 80 tunde.fulop@chalmers.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***