Only applicants who are eligible to work in New Zealand and meet our requirements will be considered for this position.

Applications will be accepted until September 22nd 2024, or until a suitable candidate is identified, whichever occurs first. Don't wait to apply—seize the opportunity now!

This position is available between November 2024 and January 2025 - there will be a long lead time for applications, so please do not be disheartened if you do not hear back from us immediately.

Equal Opportunity Statement - Applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. OpenStar Technologies is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovation thrives.

Who are we?

OpenStar Technologies is on a mission to repeat the feats of Maui and capture the power of the Sun. By mastering fusion, the process that powers the stars, we can generate safe, clean, carbon free, baseload electricity in a way that is economically scalable to the challenge of mitigating climate disaster and giving birth to the next industrial revolution. The team is currently made up of 42 talented engineers and physicists, based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Aotearoa.

Culture Comment: At OpenStar Technologies, our culture is founded on a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. We empower every member of our team with meaningful responsibility, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive in pursuit of our collective mission.

Job Description

The successful candidate will join OpenStar’s plasma special projects team, working alongside world class plasma and computational physicists. OpenStar is developing a levitated dipole reactor. As part of this development process, significant work is needed to expand the current theoretical understanding of the underlying physics and computational modelling of dipole plasmas. There is ongoing work on updating numerical frameworks around physical process occurring in a dipole plasma which can be used to inform the development of future dipole reactors.

Initially, the candidate must gain familiarity with the numerical methods of plasma physics and developing an understanding of the specific physics involved. Then, the model itself must be developed, and the results analysed.

Responsibilities

Plasma Physics

The candidate must learn the basic underlying physics of dipole plasmas and/or related physics theories that may be relevant to OpenStar’s future plasma endeavours.

Numerical Analysis

The candidate must understand the numerical methods applied to modelling plasma physics phenomena.

Computer Modelling

Numerical models must then be developed and iterated in order to produce useful results for informing future dipole experiments.

Interpretation

The candidate must learn to interpret the results of these models as required.

Requirements

Must have - The candidate must be completing an Honours or Masters degree in either theoretical physics/applied mathematics, or in computer science. The candidate must have experience with numerical modelling.

Nice to have - Plasma physics knowledge.

Employment Details

Employment Type: Fixed-term internship.

Compensation:

• $27.80 per hour - 400 hours.
• 3% employer kiwisaver contributions.
• 8% pay-as-you-go holiday pay.

Location: This internship must be undertaken at OpenStar Technologies' facilities in Ngauranga, Wellington, New Zealand. Candidates must be able to work on-site to fully engage with our team and technology.