This position is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of divertor physics research, together with experts in the field. A PhD in Plasma Physics or equivalent experience studying plasmas is essential. You will use the SOLPS code to interpret and guide experiments on the MAST-Upgrade and TCV tokamaks, in collaboration with project partners. You are expected to have or develop expertise in this sophisticated modelling code, which combines a Braginskii-like fluid model for plasma electrons and ion species, with Monte-Carlo treatment of the neutrals. You will work closely with experimentalists to match plasma parameters and interpret diagnostic measurements, including travel and spending periods of time (1-3 weeks) at collaborating institutes. You will develop synthetic diagnostics in order to provide quantitative comparison with experimental data.
You will also use a 1D code, being developed at York built on the BOUT++ platform, to study the dynamics of detachment. This will involve predictions and guiding experiments as well as comparisons to experimental results.
In addition to the primary task of using SOLPS to understand experiments, you will contribute to the development of a new computational model for the plasma edge: The Hermes code, built on the BOUT++ computational platform, can run in 2D (like SOLPS) and in 3D to include plasma turbulence. The goal is to match the capability of SOLPS in terms of modelling the steady state plasma solution and then use it to study turbulence in comparison to experiment.
A description of the grant that funds this work can be found at http://www.york.ac.uk/physics/ypi/research/divertor/
For discussions of the position please contact Dr. Ben Dudson (benjamin.dudson@york.ac.uk) or Professor Bruce Lipschultz (bruce.lipschultz@york.ac.uk)
Salary: £30,738 - £37,768 a year. The post is intended to start as soon as possible after 1 October 2016, and is available on a fixed-term basis for up to 41 months.