Physics Intern - Fall 2026

Job description

**About Thea Energy:** Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future. The Thea Energy physics team performs cutting-edge research in the areas of stellarator optimization, toroidal plasma confinement, plasma divertor and edge physics, plasma-materials interactions, and fusion neutronics. Thea Energy is looking for motivated interns to work with Thea physicists on projects relevant to these topic areas. - Take ownership of a dedicated research project within one of our core physics areas, guided by a senior physicist mentor. - Conduct literature reviews to guide initial project specifications. - Run simulations or analyze data to inform Thea Energy's stellarator design. - Collaborate directly with cross-functional teams of mechanical and electrical engineers. - Support engineering design reviews by translating physics modeling and simulation results into specifications. - Utilize project management tools to track tasks and long-term research goals. - Present your findings and project outcomes to the broader technical team at the conclusion of the internship. ### Ideal Experience & Skillsets: Candidates may be pursuing undergraduate, masters, or PhD degrees. Ideal candidates would have experience in at least one of the following physics areas:- Plasma magnetohydrodynamic modeling - Plasma gyrokinetic modeling - Stellarator equilibrium and coil optimization - Plasma control - Energetic particle modeling - Plasma fluid modeling - Neutral particle Monte Carlo simulation - Plasma diagnostics - Plasma-material interaction - Neutron transport Monte Carlo simulation Additionally, experience in the following technical areas are a plus:- Scientific computing - High-performance computing systems - Nonlinear constrained optimization - Machine learning - Data science - Git version control - Python programming language ### Company Benefits: Compensation: $18-25/hr Undergraduate and $26-30/hr Post-graduate ### Requirements: - Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs. - Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time. - Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.