What does it take to work at ITER?

Fusiontron

I've seen their job listings website. But really what are the intangibles that would help someone work at this magnificant place?

epenguin

Develop and maintain excellent and ongoing relations and if possible ongoing collaborations back home and outside interests for a path back when the project stalls/has crises/funding runs out/political disagreement/promotion blocked/your post has to be given to another nationality and even, it is within the bounds of possibility, the project succeeds on which case it will be closed. Aim for your experience there to be in technology of science with applications that are in demand widely, not limited to that project. Read up the story of JET and start thinking about your retirement or recycling.

navynuclear

Will ITER even work?

Drakkith

How could we possibly know that yet?

leprechaun0

My answer.. Get a Ph.D in High Energy Physics, do post doc research lecture some snot nosed kids, get published in some fancy physics journal, then maybe if the janitor suddenly drops dead. You can work at ITER.

To translate my answer, if you don't want to be the research lead then I don't see what any person with expertise and experience in a relevant field couldn't find a place there. Assuming the you are a citizen of a country that contributes to the project. French and Swiss nationals may be more employable.

Fusiontron

Sounds reasonable. I know a couple guys who do indirect consulting work for ITER. As in, a couple really streched connections. Do you feel someone with expertise in MHD Theory would be a good fit? That seems to be the direction I'm going for when I apply for grad school.

Astronuc

One does not need a degree in high energy physics, because fusion takes place at relatively low energies (keV) range. The fusion reaction does produced particles with kinetic energies in the MeV range.

Plasma physics (including MHD) is one area of the technology. So are condensed matter physics, E&M, power conversion & electronics, computer science, . . . .

leprechaun0

I'm a dummy, I was thinking CERN not ITER. My foot tastes great.