Group Leader Optimization

We are looking for an Optimization Group Leader who manages the activities of the science optimization group, participating and supervising the development, application and maintenance of sophisticated computational tools to design and optimize central aspects of our stellarator plasma, coils and related spin-off technologies.

Your main responsibilities

*Optimization activities

• Define figures of merit for the integrated optimization of the stellarator plasma shape, the coil winding surface (CWS) and coils or corrugations on said surface. Set reactor-relevant constraints and goals for such figures of merit
• Lead and coordinate the team toward a holistic plasma, CWS and groove design to optimize the performance and efficiency of our in-house prototypes as well as our stellarator. Assist the team in resolving the toughest technical challenges that it might meet
• Drive the development of new methodologies and means, remaining on the lookout for the latest breakthroughs in numerical optimization, artificial intelligence, and computational hardware to continuously challenge the team's practices to enhance the predictive capabilities of simulations and to push the boundaries of stellarator performance.
• Work closely with the other departments to:
• share needs and constraints,
• provide customized computational tools and analysis,
• contribute to the definition and realization of intermediate milestones,
• validate mathematical models through comparison with experimental data
• Plan and manage research projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

*Team management

• Be the ambassador of Renaissance Fusion's vision within your team, and promote its culture, values (speed, simplicity, fantastic realism, constructive interference and unified force) and policies
• Encourage collaboration at all levels of the organization
• Ensure that your team is motivated to achieve its objectives: set targets and follow them up with encouragement, support, feedback and responsibility
• Ensure that employees are in the best position to achieve their objectives: listen to them, look after their well-being, make sure they have the appropriate tools and skills; fill the gap if necessary (recruitment, training, reorganization…)
• Take an active role in talent development: identify potential, determine areas and opportunities for development, encourage reflection on professional projects, propose training courses

*Scientific outcome

• Lead and coordinate scientific record keeping on paper. Guarantee that these records are up-to-date, detailed, well-organized and understandable to internal users and external patent officers, grant reviewers, peer-reviewers of journal manuscripts
• Coordinate the writing, review and approval of patents and scientific papers
• Prepare scientific reports (presentations, posters, etc.) and represent RF to scientific conferences and workshops

*Support for other teams

• Work in coordination with the other groups or divisions, with the assistance of their head, ensuring the appropriate level of information exchange between the groups

Requirements

Do not hesitate to apply if you don’t meet all the requirements. Superheroes don’t exist, but people with talent and passion do!

*Education and professional experience

• PhD in plasma physics, computational science, mathematics or related field
• 8+ years of research experience in the physics of stellarators, tokamaks or other magnetic fusion configurations
• 3+ years of experience as a technical leader/coordinator and/or project management

*Languages

• Fluent in English (C1/C2)
• Knowledge (B1 or higher) of French is a plus

*Technical skills

• Knowledge on stellarators and solid understanding of plasma behavior, magnetohydrodynamics, and the interaction between plasma and magnetic fields
• Mastery of computational modeling, numerical methods, and simulation tools, such as Finite Element software packages, MHD codes, etc.
• Strong background in optimization algorithms, including genetic algorithms, evolutionary strategies, and other metaheuristics approaches for parameter optimization and system design.
• Knowledge on parallel computing and HPC clusters
• Mastery of scientific programming languages such as Python, C++, or Fortran, and proficiency in using relevant computational packages and libraries.
• Mastery of modern coding practices (CI, git) and interfacing legacy codes.
• Knowledge in running or developing stellarator equilibrium codes is a plus (at least one of: VMEC, GVEC, SPEC, SIESTA, DESC, SIMSOPT, STELLOPT).
• Experience with AI techniques, such as machine learning and neural networks, applied to scientific or engineering applications, preferably in the context of plasma physics or fusion research.

What we offer

Visit our career page to learn more about our work environment and benefits:

Jobs — Renaissance Fusion (renfusion.eu)

At Renaissance Fusion, we value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate based on origin; gender; morals, sexual orientation; sexual identity; age; marital status; pregnancy; genetic characteristics; actual or assumed membership or non-membership of an ethnic group, nation or race; political opinions; trade union or mutualist activities; religious beliefs; physical appearance; family name; place of residence; state of health; disability.