Computational Plasma Physics - Magnetohydrodynamic Flows Intern

The planet urgently needs safe, reliable, zero-carbon energy without waste. Nuclear fusion can address the scale of this problem, but for decades, existing fusion approaches have not proven a net positive energy gain. Zap Energy has rethought the fundamental technology of fusion. As the only company using sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch, we present potentially the fastest path to commercially available fusion energy.

The Theory & Modeling team at Zap Energy is seeking motivated interns for projects in plasma physics. This role is ideal for MS or PhD students with a strong background in applied mathematics and computational plasma physics.

You will contribute to the understanding of the stability of magnetohydrodynamic flows, including ideal MHD and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in current-carrying, high Mach number flows through analysis and modeling. As an intern, you will contribute to key projects that directly impact fusion research progress.

What You’ll Gain:

• The opportunity to work on impactful problems in the field of fusion energy research.
• Mentorship from experienced scientists in plasma and computational physics.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an MS or PhD program in Computational Plasma Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience with linear and complex analysis
• Familiarity with dispersion relations arising from partial differential equations
• Background in the stability of compressible flows
• Experience with numerical methods and high-performance computing

This is an onsite role based in Everett, WA. Start and end dates are flexible according to student schedules.