Fusion Materials Scientist

Gauss Fusion is a European fusion company focused on industrialising stellarator fusion, founded in 2022 by Frank Laukien together with European high-tech companies with capabilities in magnetic-confinement fusion and component production for experiments such as ITER. It is developing a modular power plant architecture, its GIGA power-plant platform, and advancing critical technologies including demountable magnet systems, tritium breeding, fuel-cycle technologies and plasma exhaust. This Fusion Materials Scientist works across the company’s materials portfolio, which spans low-activation steels, first-wall and blanket interfaces, SiC-based materials, shielding materials, breeder-material lifecycles and irradiation-relevant qualification. The role connects design, materials properties, manufacturing and supply-chain work, in collaboration with industrial partners, universities and national and international laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate plant and component functions, load cases, interfaces, safety requirements and lifetime targets into materials requirements and acceptance criteria
• Lead materials activities across metals, ceramics, composites, coatings, joints, breeder materials and shielding materials
• Define qualification strategies and phased test programmes, from material screening and coupons to representative mock-ups and components
• Plan and review chemical, microstructural, mechanical and thermophysical characterisation, including corrosion and compatibility, permeation, fatigue, thermal cycling, high-heat-flux and irradiation-relevant testing
• Assess degradation and failure mechanisms and translate test evidence into design decisions, operating limits and lifetime assessments
• Provide materials input to mechanical design, manufacturing routes, joining and coating development, neutronics and activation, tritium management and nuclear-safety activities
• Define specimen matrices, test protocols, data-quality requirements, uncertainty treatment, traceability and technical acceptance criteria
• Develop materials specifications, databases and qualification evidence, and support code-entry and licensing-readiness roadmaps
• Review supplier and partner deliverables, facilities, process genealogy, quality records and non-destructive examination plans
• Coordinate technical interfaces, deliverables, risks and decisions across research projects, and support the preparation of work packages, proposals and technical reports
• Evaluate industrial scale-up, supply-chain resilience, recycling and end-of-life implications for fusion-relevant materials
• Work with Quality, Nuclear Safety and Export Control experts where materials, data or technologies require controlled handling, and attend activities at partner and supplier premises

Requirements

Essential:

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science, metallurgy, materials engineering, solid-state physics, nuclear engineering or a closely related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in materials research, development or qualification, preferably in fusion, nuclear, aerospace, energy or another safety-relevant industry
• Strong expertise in at least two relevant material classes or technologies, such as reduced-activation or 9Cr steels, stainless steels, tungsten and refractory metals, ceramics or composites, coatings, diffusion barriers, joints, breeder materials or shielding materials
• Hands-on experience with materials characterisation and testing, such as microscopy, chemical and phase analysis, mechanical testing, fracture or fatigue, thermophysical measurements, and corrosion or environmental exposure
• Experience defining test matrices and qualification evidence under a quality-management system, with controlled data, specimen and process traceability
• Sound understanding of material degradation under high temperature, cyclic loads, irradiation, transmutation, corrosion or hydrogen-isotope exposure (direct fusion experience is preferred but not mandatory)
• Ability to interpret and apply material, pressure-equipment or nuclear design and qualification standards, for example EN standards, ASTM, ASME BPVC or RCC-MRx
• Experience coordinating technical work with research institutes, testing facilities, manufacturers or suppliers, and producing reviewable technical documentation
• Strong understanding of process-structure-property-performance relationships and how they affect component design and qualification
• Ability to analyse incomplete or conflicting materials data, quantify uncertainty and make clear, evidence-based recommendations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical approach to experimental planning
• Clear technical writing, documentation and presentation skills, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams spanning design, neutronics, manufacturing, quality, safety and commercial functions
• Proficiency in English

Desirable:

• Familiarity with materials databases, statistical analysis or computational materials and lifetime-modelling tools
• Experience working with industrial suppliers and research partners on technical scope, test plans and deliverables
• Familiarity with magnetic fusion, fission or other nuclear systems
• Ability to communicate in German and/or French