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- Tasks: Design and execute experiments to enhance spacecraft propulsion technology.
- Company: Join Magdrive, a pioneering company in spacecraft propulsion innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, competitive salary, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Other info: Collaborate with top experts and mentor students in a dynamic research environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of space technology and make a real impact on future exploration.
- Qualifications: PhD in Plasma Physics or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Magdrive is developing the next generation of spacecraft propulsion. Our cutting‑edge thruster technology promises to deliver unmatched thrust and efficiency, enabling accessibility to new orbits and entirely new industries such as satellite servicing, orbital assembly, and interplanetary transport. We are also starting to develop recycling & refuelling approaches for future spacecraft propulsion.
About the Role
Magdrive is open to candidates at both the developing (recent PhD graduate or equivalent experience) and senior level (~5 years’ experience on top of PhD, or equivalent). As an Experimental Physicist at Magdrive, you will investigate how the electrical driver and pulsed power architecture influence plasma formation, energy coupling, and thrust generation in Magdrive thruster systems.
Drawing on expertise in plasma physics, you will design and execute experiments in the new Magdrive facility to explore how to improve thruster performance and lifetime. Working closely with the rest of the physics team and cross department with the electrical and mechanical teams, you will develop diagnostics and conduct experiments to link electrical parameters directly to thrust and efficiency. You will also collaborate with colleagues running FEM and circuit‑level simulations to iterate driver and thruster designs. This is a hands‑on role, planning and delivering experiments that advance the performance, robustness, and scalability of Magdrive’s propulsion technology.
We offer a supportive and flexible work environment, with the ability to adjust work hours, hybrid working, competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, generous parental leave policies and regular company socials. Magdrive is based at the Harwell Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, UK, with occasional remote working possible.
What you’ll be doing:
- Working with other members of the Experimental Physics team to design and deliver experiments to explore how to improve Magdrive thruster performance and lifetime.
- Planning and executing experimental campaigns to characterise thruster performance and plasma dynamics.
- Collaborating with other teams to interpret system‑level requirements and translate them into targeted experimental studies of electrical and propulsion performance.
- Developing and applying advanced electrical and plasma diagnostics to link driver parameters to thrust, efficiency and lifetime.
- Utilising computational analysis tools to analyse experimental data and compare results with circuit‑level and FEM models.
- Interpreting, documenting, and clearly communicating experimental results and recommendations to the wider team and company.
- Maintaining a tidy, well‑organised laboratory environment and ensuring safe working practices are followed.
- Support and mentor externally sponsored PhD, MSc and undergraduate students, providing industrial context, technical guidance, and research direction.
- For the more experienced candidate we would expect you to mentor more junior members of the team.
- Represent Magdrive at technical conferences, workshops, and reviews, presenting experimental and numerical results.
- Build our network to collaborate with universities, research groups and other companies.
What we are looking for:
- PhD in Plasma Physics or equivalent experience.
- Hands on experience operating pulsed power and high voltage experiments.
- Proven ability to plan, execute, and analyse complex experimental campaigns, and to translate experimental results into clear technical conclusions.
- Experience working safely with high energy electrical systems, with a strong understanding of pulsed power specific hazards and controls.
- Experience designing, commissioning, developing or modifying pulsed power drivers.
- Demonstrated research expertise in high voltage, high current pulsed power systems, including switching, and energy delivery into plasma loads in vacuum environments.
- Practical knowledge of electrical diagnostics relevant to pulsed systems.
- Experience of working on spacecraft or propulsion systems.
- Experience using Python for experimental data analysis and/or hardware control.
- Experience with electromagnetic or circuit‑level simulation tools (e.g. FEM using COMSOL, or circuit tools such as LTspice or CASTLE).
What we offer:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave + long-service awards.
- Private medical insurance.
- Flexible working hours.
- Remote working where possible.
- Financial support for home office setup.
Unit 4, Bep0 Building, Thomson Avenue, Harwell Campus, United Kingdom, OX11 0GD.
Experimental Physicist employer: Magdrive Ltd
Contact Detail:
Magdrive Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Experimental Physicist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of plasma physics and spacecraft propulsion. Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on skills! When you get the chance to interview, be ready to discuss your practical experience with pulsed power systems and high voltage experiments. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the lab.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your teamwork! Magdrive values collaboration, so be sure to mention any cross-department projects you've worked on. Talk about how you’ve successfully communicated complex ideas to different teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Magdrive team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Experimental Physicist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Experimental Physicist role. Highlight your experience with plasma physics, pulsed power systems, and any relevant projects. We want to see how your skills align with what we're doing at Magdrive!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about spacecraft propulsion and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about working at Magdrive.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience: Since this role is hands-on, be sure to mention any practical experience you've had with experiments, especially in high voltage or pulsed power systems. We love candidates who can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining the Magdrive team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Magdrive Ltd
✨Know Your Plasma Physics
Make sure you brush up on your plasma physics knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss how electrical drivers and pulsed power architecture influence plasma formation and thrust generation. This will show that you understand the core of what Magdrive is working on.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Questions
Since this role is very hands-on, expect questions about your experience with pulsed power and high voltage experiments. Think of specific examples where you've planned and executed complex experimental campaigns, and be prepared to explain your thought process.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Collaboration is key at Magdrive, so be ready to talk about your experience working with cross-functional teams. Highlight any projects where you’ve worked closely with electrical or mechanical teams, and how you communicated results effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Data Analysis Skills
Familiarise yourself with Python and any relevant simulation tools like COMSOL or LTspice. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects to analyse experimental data and draw conclusions. This will show that you can bridge the gap between theory and practical application.