Member of the Technical Staff

Duties include: Conducting basic and applied research in plasma physics, electric propulsion, combustion, or environmental chemistry. Providing recommendations for technology developments and applications to the DOD and NASA communities. Collaborating in ongoing laboratory and applied programs while establishing scientific expertise within the plasma physics community and SMC customer base. Developing innovative diagnostic methods for measuring processes in plasmas, RF devices, combustion devices, and rarefied or continuum flows. Performing plasma measurements related to space systems and space environment including, but not limited to, electric propulsion devices, electrostatic discharge, and rf/multipactor discharge. Performing data analysis using analytical calculations, plasma modeling, and standard statistical methods. The candidate is expected to assist in the analyses of plasma, propulsion, combustion, and environmental chemistry problems relevant to SMC, and to develop research programs that advance the state of the art.

Qualifications include: Bachelors degree required, Ph.D. highly preferred, plus at least 2 years of post-doctoral or applied experience in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Aerospace Engineering, with an emphasis on experimental research. Computer programming skills. Experience with mechanical design, laboratory electronics, and designing experiments. Experience using the diagnostic methods of plasma physics, RF devices, combustion, gas phase kinetics, chemical dynamics, or atmospheric chemistry is essential. Experience with RF/microwave systems, probe diagnostics, laser diagnostic methods, mass spectrometry, data acquisition software and interfacing computers with lab equipment. Experience in the fields of plasma physics, combustion research, or chemical dynamics is desirable. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work an interdisciplinary team are required.