Plasma Microwave Modelling Physicist (ECRH, Gyrotrons)

Proxima Fusion

Munich, Germany

Proxima Fusion is hiring an Alpha Plasma Microwave Modeler in Munich to own the physics simulation pipeline connecting our gyrotron sources to plasma performance. You will model the propagation, polarization and absorption of millimeter waves in the Alpha stellarator, running ray-tracing and beam-tracing codes such as TRAVIS and RAYTRAX and validating against W7-X experimental data to drive the design of the Alpha ECRH launcher. You will model Electron Cyclotron Current Drive and build Python post-processing pipelines. It suits physicists with hands-on experience of an EC propagation or absorption code.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Run ray-tracing and beam-tracing simulations of EC wave propagation and absorption using codes such as TRAVIS, RAYTRAX and more complex beam or full wave model codes;
• Develop an integrated modeling framework that couples wave deposition to transport codes, enabling temperature and density profile optimization and validation of the heating scenario performance;
• Build and maintain Python-based post-processing pipelines to automate scenario scanning and interface simulation outputs with the Alpha integrated design framework;
• Model Electron Cyclotron Current Drive (ECCD) and assess its ability to modify rotational transform and equilibrium in the Alpha quasi-isodynamic configuration;
• Contribute to design reviews, interface control documents, and technical reports to ensure simulation results are traceable and actionable.

WHO YOU ARE

• PhD (or equivalent demonstrated expertise) in plasma physics, applied physics, or a related field, with a focus on plasma-wave interactions or RF heating of magnetically confined plasmas;
• Hands-on experience with at least one EC propagation or absorption code (TRAVIS, TORBEAM, C3PO, IPF-FD3D, or similar);
• Proficiency in Python for simulation scripting, data analysis, and visualization; comfort reading and modifying legacy Fortran or C/C++ code;
• Systems-thinking mindset: able to translate physics outputs into engineering requirements and hardware constraints;
• Strong team player, comfortable working across physics and engineering disciplines and with external academic partners;
• Understanding of quasi optical propagation of millimeter waves; ray tracing and where it breaks down.