The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics as an institute of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (registered association) is the largest centre for fusion research in Europe with about 1100 employees in Garching near Munich and Greifswald. The scientists are investigating the physical principles for a fusion power plant which – like the sun – generates energy from the fusion of light atomic nuclei. The research is carried out in seven experimental and theoretical projects aimed at developing nuclear fusion into an inexhaustible and safe source of energy for the future.
The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching offers within the department ITER Technology & Diagnostics (ITED) a position for a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d). As a member of the Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) team at Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) 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 to 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-Gesellschaft
- 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 31st December 2025 with possible extension until 31st December 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 sector (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.
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