Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist, or Senior Research Scientist (Open Rank)

The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM) at Columbia University in the City of New York invites applications for Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist positions in the area of tokamak stability and off-normal event research. There are up to 5 positions under consideration.

The successful candidate will advance the research programs of domestic and international tokamak and/or spherical torus facilities. Examples include the DIII-D tokamak located at General Atomics or the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade located at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Activities may also be conducted in support of industrial research contracts. The successful candidate will also be expected to assist in the mentorship of more junior scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and students. In addition, the candidate is expected to conduct both supporting and independent MHD research towards the execution of the Columbia Plasma Physics research program, likely supporting multiple research awards. 

Candidates for professional officer of research positions are expected to have established their ability to conduct original, independent scientist research.  To hold the senior rank, candidate’s qualifications and contributions to their fields of research must be equivalent to those of a full professor; for the rank of research scientist, the equivalency is with the qualifications and contributions of an associate professor; and for the rank of an associate research scientist, assistant professor.   All candidates for all officer of research positions are expected to be able to work well in a team and to communicate effectively the results of their research or research activities both orally and in writing.

The level of appointment is commensurate with experience.  The earliest position is expected to begin on approximately January 1, 2024 or sooner if possible, with possible additional positions being filled later in 2024. Offers at the Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist level are contingent upon review and approval of the academic review committees. 

Minimum Qualifications:  Ph.D. (or equivalent professional degree) in plasma physics or a related field, and experience with different computer environments and languages, especially Python, Matlab, IDL, FORTRAN and UNIX/LINX.

Preferred Qualifications:  Familiarity with working 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. Senior Research Scientists should also possess the ability to foster interdisciplinary research and have demonstrated a track record of successful grant funding.

Applicants must apply through:  https://academic.careers.columbia.edu/#!/121635 and include: (a) curriculum vitae (b) statement of research (c) names of at least three references who may be asked to provide letters. Additional letters may be solicited for research scientist and senior research scientist candidates.

The search will close no sooner than November 1, 2023 and will remain open until the positions are filled.

Applicants are encouraged to consult http://www.apam.columbia.edu for more information about the department, and https://plasma.apam.columbia.edu for more information about the Plasma Physics program within the department.