Computational Physics Intern

Overview

Pacific Fusion is seeking an exceptional research intern to join our team and create the path to commercial fusion energy.

You will collaborate with the Modeling and Simulation team and the Target Design Physics team on a project to develop, validate, and/or apply advanced computational capabilities. Your work will contribute to the design and simulation of the fusion targets that form the heart of our advanced fusion energy systems.

We are looking for candidates interested in a 12-16 week, paid, in-person internship based in one of our Bay Area offices.

Responsibilities

The main responsibility of a Computational Physics Intern is to complete a research project under the supervision of a Pacific Fusion mentor. Examples of impactful project include:

1. Advancing the computational capabilities of the FLASH radiation-magnetohydrodynamics code for fusion target design

2. Validating a computational capability in FLASH by comparing test problems to theory and/or experimental data

3. Advancing user capabilities such as workflow tools, post-processing codes, and analysis techniques

4. Applying FLASH or one of Pacific Fusion’s other computational capabilities to design an experiment that answers a key physics question on the path to commercial fusion energy

You will be expected to participate in team meetings, follow software development standards, and communicate the results of your work through oral presentations and written reports.

Qualifications

1. Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Physics, Engineering, or a related field

2. Completed relevant coursework such as hydrodynamics, fluid mechanics, plasma physics, or statistical mechanics; differential equations; numerical methods; or computer programming.

3. Experience using high-level programming languages such as python, Matlab, or IDL to perform numerical modeling or data analysis

4. Able to work independently with limited guidance and proactively seek out the resources needed to complete the project

5. Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing