Theoretical/Computational Atomic/Plasma Physicist

The Radiation Hydrodynamics Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC has been actively investigating Z-pinch dynamics, laser-target interactions and ICF, and radiation source development for over three decades. Positions with the Radiation Hydrodynamics Branch of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are available in the following areas of High Energy Density Physics:
(i) Atomic physics and non-LTE ionization kinetics
(ii) Synthetic spectra and spectroscopic analysis in optically transitioning conditions
(iii) Methods and applications of multi-dimensional radiation transport

Applications of the research presently emphasize energy coupling and radiation output from High Energy Density (HED) plasmas driven by Z pinches or high powered lasers and diagnostics of ICF plasmas. Specifically, this work entails the analysis of experimental spectral data, development of state-of-the-art new theoretical methods using sophisticated computer codes to obtain detailed collisional radiative (both time-dependent and independent) ionization dynamics models, in conjunction with self-consistent radiation transport models.