Two Research Assistant Positions Available

Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a national laboratory at Princeton University (PU) collaborating with Stony Brook University scientists, are seeking to hire two PhD graduate students whose research is in the field of nanosynthesis in plasma:

•    1 student will undertake experimental research: Most of the research will be performed at Princeton University, led by PPPL scientists.
•    1 student will undertake theoretical research: The research will be performed both at SBU and PU campuses, led by both SBU and PPPL scientists. 

Preference will be given to students who have already completed their PhD coursework. These positions are open to both domestic and international students. RAs will receive a stipend of $25,000 and full tuition. Interested students should contact Professor Predrag Krstic at the Institute for Advanced Computational Science by email at predrag.krstic@stonybrook.edu. Students should send a brief explanation of their research interests along with a short bio and contact data to predrag.krstic@stonybrook.edu.    

Research Abstract (includes both experiment and theory)

This research explores the fundamental physics of nanomaterial synthesis by plasma with the goal of understanding, predicting, and ultimately controlling synthesis processes, including plasma generation, and nucleation and growth of nanoparticles and nanostructures. This 3-year research program will focus on and integrate three key areas: (1) characterization of the plasma properties relevant to the synthesis of nanomaterials; (2) development and utilization of in-situ diagnostics of nanoparticles and nanostructures; and (3) development, validation, and integration of codes for multi-scale modeling of nanomaterial synthesis. This research has a strong emphasis on characterizing the plasma and synthesized nanomaterials, including carbon, boron nitride and hybrid B-C-N nanostructures, with a large collection of diagnostics used to examine the plasma and materials synthesis mechanisms, and to provide a database to validate models and simulations before they are integrated into a multi-scale model of plasma synthesis. A comprehensive set of plasma and nanoparticle diagnostics will be employed to provide the dataset needed to validate and further develop theoretical models of nanostructure growth. In support of these activities, a strong team of scientists with complementary experimental and theoretical skills and areas of expertise in plasma and materials science has been assembled, and students will have the opportunity to work and learn from all of them. Most of the experimental research will be performed in the recently established Plasma-Based Nanotechnology Laboratory at PPPL. Most of the theoretical-computational work will be done at the Institute for Advanced Computational Science at Stony Brook University, as well as at PPPL, using both local and DOE computing clusters.