Head of Plasma Physics

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is looking for a Head of Plasma Physics to lead the plasma physics research team, with a mandate to define, prioritize, and drive research that pushes our understanding of the plasma physics which is needed to design, support, and enable improvements in generations of ARC power plants. This will require standing up an excellent research team, extensive collaboration inside CFS, as well as collaboration and partnerships across the world wide plasma physics ecosystem.

CFS is currently building the SPARC tokamak, which aims to be the first magnetic confinement device to achieve net energy and is predicted to have up to Q=11 in DT, producing up to 140 MW of fusion power.  In parallel, CFS is advancing the conceptual design of the ARC fusion power plant, which intends to operate commercially in the early 2030s and produce 400 MW of net electricity.  To achieve these goals, CFS will need a robust Plasma Physics Program that develops the plasma physics knowledge and skills necessary to design, commission, operate, and improve plasma performance in magnetic fusion power plants.  The new Head of Plasma Physics will have the opportunity to manage and grow a team of world-class scientists and set the strategic direction for this critical group at CFS.

• Improve, prioritize, and execute the plasma physics research roadmap made in consultation with product leaders inside CFS that contributes to the overall CFS path to fusion energy
• Work across teams inside of CFS to ensure that the roadmap is executable and focused on what is important to advancing the physics understanding needed for the ARC product
• Evaluate benefits of potential upgrades to SPARC and help to develop their physics basis to support detailed engineering design
• Ensure research leads to design tools and predictive capabilities that help CFS advance toward economical fusion power plants as rapidly as possible
• Develop and expand  external relationships and private-public partnerships with the broader plasma physics research community to accelerate the delivery of fusion energy
• Ensure CFS maintains access to the knowledge, data, and experimental facilities that the plasma physics community shares
• Build and grow a team of world class plasma research scientists
• Ensure the right balance of conceptual, deeply technical, and operational individuals
• Participate in developing training programs that ensure we can internally grow needed talent when needed skills and knowledge are hard to hire for
• Manage and allocate the plasma physics program budget as appropriate
• Manage a team of physicists at CFS and coordinate with multiple collaborator institutions

• PhD in experimental plasma physics or a closely related field
• 10+ years experience in plasma physics or fusion research
• Experience planning and executing experiments on tokamaks
• Experience managing a team of scientists working on multiple projects in a variety of topical areas
• Experience setting long-term research priorities for a research group or scientific facility
• A desire for active participation in tokamak design and operations
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to manage collaborations from a variety of academic institutions

• Involvement in research program or project review panels
• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• Dedication to safety to mitigate industrial hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics
• #LI-Hybrid

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.

At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.