B. M. Hegelich

Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS), Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin This postdoctoral fellowship is part of a research program in computational plasma physics at CHEDS, where the successful researcher will work closely with experimentalists and theorists on laser-driven plasma science. The position sits within a highly collaborative environment focused on designing and interpreting experiments across multiple high-energy-density platforms. The project spans several interconnected areas of plasma and high-energy-density physics, including laser-ion acceleration, inertial confinement fusion, implosion and compression physics, Z-pinch and MagLIF concepts, and particle and nuclear physics in laser-driven plasmas. The fellow will contribute to simulation-driven research that supports experiments on the Texas Petawatt, UT3, and the planned TeX-Ray facility, as well as at major user facilities such as ELI, NIF, and the Sandia Z-facility. Research activities include massively parallel particle-in-cell simulations of laser-plasma interactions, with special emphasis on laser interactions with antiprotons and antimatter, laser-ion acceleration, and energy deposition in plasma. The role also includes hydrodynamic and radiation-hydrodynamic modelling for compression and fast-ignition-related studies, Monte Carlo particle and nuclear transport simulations for secondary sources and diagnostics, and the development of AI/ML tools such as surrogate models, Bayesian optimization, and digital twins for simulation, analysis, and experimental design. The fellow will publish research results, present at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The appointment is initially for one year and is renewable up to five years.

The Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS) in the Department of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to contribute to high-power ultrashort-pulse laser science and engineering. The position is embedded in a research environment focused on developing and operating major laser facilities, including the Texas Petawatt (TPW) laser and the 40 TW UT3 laser system, with close connections to experimental work at UT, offsite partners, and US national laboratories. The fellow will work on the design, construction, and characterization of a high-repetition-rate, short-pulse 1 µm laser front end for a planned few-Hz upgrade of TPW and as a stand-alone laser-ion source system. The project emphasizes ultrafast laser development, including pump lasers, stretcher/compressor design, spectral broadening, temporal contrast control, and full pulse and beam characterization. The role also involves supporting a distributed-gain-media, mixed-glass amplifier for TPW and contributing to the operation, maintenance, alignment, diagnostics, and continued development of the existing high-energy laser infrastructure. Beyond the main front-end development, the postdoc will support laser-plasma experimental campaigns and assist in integrating new subsystems into the broader platform being built for the TeX-Ray effort. The successful candidate will work closely with experimentalists and technical staff, help train students and users in laser operation and safety, and contribute to publications and conference presentations arising from the laboratory’s ongoing laser science program.