Fusion Scientist, Scenarios and Integrated Modeling

Department: Stellarator Design

Location: Munich

Employment Type: FullTime

WHO WE ARE

At Proxima Fusion, we're driven by a bold mission – to redefine the future of sustainable energy. Our unique concept, built upon the groundbreaking W7-X stellarator and the latest advances in technology, paves the way for commercially viable fusion power plants.

What’s more, our work in stellarator optimization, powered by cutting-edge computation and machine learning, is propelling us into uncharted territories of fusion technology. New higher performance design points are unlocked by high temperature superconducting magnets.

To fully grasp this huge opportunity, we’re building a team of extremely dedicated and passionate people who come together driving something extraordinary, radically transforming technology in the world.

WHY JOIN PROXIMA FUSION

• You will get to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world.

• You'll get to join and learn from an exceptional selection of accomplished and driven individuals.

• Do your life’s best work and enjoy the journey.

• Get to show that big things are possible in Europe when you assemble the best talent.

YOUR IMPACT

You will define plasma operating scenarios for Alpha – Proxima's Q>1 experimental stellarator – and Stellaris, our commercial power plant design. This means determining how we heat, fuel, and control the plasma to reach target conditions, and what sequence of experiments we run to get there.

You will use and extend Proxima's integrated modeling tools, validate them against W7-X data, and apply them to predict Alpha and Stellaris performance. When Alpha operates, you will be directly involved in planning discharges and analyzing results.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop plasma operating scenarios for Alpha and Stellaris, defining target parameters, heating and fueling strategies, and experimental sequences in close coordination with heating, fueling, diagnostics, plasma control, and engineering teams

• Apply and extend Proxima’s integrated modeling tools to predict plasma behavior (including neoclassical and turbulent transport, energetic particle confinement, MHD stability, impurity transport, and island divertor physics), ensuring outputs are usable for integrated scenario and engineering design

• Validate models against W7-X experimental data, working with diagnostics and operations teams to identify model gaps and drive targeted validation campaigns

• Define operational goals for Alpha campaigns, including an integrated, cross-team path to Q>1

• Use scenario analysis to inform Stellaris power-plant design choices in collaboration with engineering and system design teams

• Develop and maintain scenario planning tools and workflows that support coordinated iteration between physics and engineering

WHO YOU ARE

• PhD in plasma physics, fusion science, or a closely related discipline

• Experience with fusion plasma simulation and integrated modeling (e.g., transport codes, heating models, equilibrium solvers)

• Strong understanding of stellarator or tokamak plasma physics, including transport, stability, and heating

• Understanding of plasma control principles, scenario execution, and real-time operation in fusion devices

• Experience planning, executing, or analyzing experiments on fusion devices

• Comfortable working across theory, simulation, experiment, and engineering

• Can communicate effectively with physicists, engineers, and experimentalists

• Self-directed; able to identify what needs to be done and execute

• Nice to have: Stellarator physics or W7-X experience, experience with integrated modeling tools (FUSE, ASTRA, TRANSP, JINTRAC, or similar),experience modeling or operating ECRH and ICRH systems,Julia and Python programming, familiarity with AI-assisted development tools,plasma control or real-time scenario execution experience

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Recruiter Interview (30-60 min)

• Technical Screening (30 min)

• Technical Panel (3x60 min)

• CEO call (30 min)

At Proxima Fusion, our mission is bold: making limitless clean energy a reality. To get there, we need a high-performing, diverse team that brings different perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds together with purpose. We know that diversity of thought and experience leads to better ideas, stronger execution, and a more resilient team. We don’t look at how you identify, what you look like, who you choose to worship or what ethnicity you are. We care about what you can bring to the table.