Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist, or Senior Research Scientist (

Columbia University - New York, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

New York, NY

Educational Services

About the position

The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM) at Columbia University in the City of New York is seeking applications for the positions of Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist, or Senior Research Scientist, focusing on tokamak stability and off-normal event research. There are up to five positions available, and the successful candidates will play a crucial role in advancing research programs associated with both domestic and international tokamak and spherical torus facilities. Notable examples of these facilities include the DIII-D tokamak at General Atomics and the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Additionally, the candidates may engage in activities that support industrial research contracts. The successful candidates will be expected to assist in mentoring junior scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and students, fostering a collaborative research environment. They will conduct both supporting and independent Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) research, contributing to the Columbia Plasma Physics research program and likely supporting multiple research awards. Candidates for these professional officer of research positions must demonstrate their ability to conduct original, independent scientific research. For the senior rank, candidates must have qualifications and contributions equivalent to those of a full professor; for the research scientist rank, equivalency is with an associate professor; and for the associate research scientist rank, it is with an assistant professor. All candidates are expected to work well in teams and effectively communicate their research results both orally and in writing. The level of appointment will be commensurate with experience, and the earliest start date for the positions is expected to be around January 1, 2024, with the possibility of additional positions being filled later in 2024. Offers for the Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist levels are contingent upon review and approval by academic review committees.

Responsibilities

• Advance research programs of domestic and international tokamak and/or spherical torus facilities.
• Conduct supporting and independent MHD research towards the Columbia Plasma Physics research program.
• Assist in the mentorship of junior scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and students.
• Support multiple research awards related to tokamak stability and off-normal event research.
• Communicate research results effectively both orally and in writing.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (or equivalent professional degree) in plasma physics or a related field.
• Experience with different computer environments and languages, especially Python, Matlab, IDL, FORTRAN, and UNIX/LINUX.
• Established ability to conduct original, independent scientific research.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with tokamak computational modeling tools and their application to interpret experimental data.
• Familiarity with tokamak experimental data and measurement methods.
• Demonstrated track record of mentorship of junior scientists, post-doctoral fellows, or students.
• Publications in top-rated journals in the field and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Ability to foster interdisciplinary research and a track record of successful grant funding.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
• Commitment to hiring qualified local residents.