Launch of new Scientist Fellow network

11 Jan 2016 - David Campbell, head of the Science & Operations Department

The Scientist Fellow program will create a network of scientists and physicists working on simulation and theory, with strongly reinforced ties to project and the ��ƽ�� team.

The operational phase of the ��ƽ�� fusion device will undoubtedly open up significant new areas of fusion research. The achievement of high fusion performance and advanced operational regimes will make new demands on the experimental, theory and modelling expertise of the fusion community.

To exploit the machine's potential and to optimize its performance, ��ƽ�� will rely on major contributions from the experts in the Members' fusion communities.

Already, a framework for internationally coordinated fusion research activities—the ITPA (International Tokamak Physics Activity)—operates under the auspices of ��ƽ��. Its greatest strength has been coordinating experimental work to support ��ƽ�� high-priority physics needs, making use of the Members' fusion facilities and collating results. This work has provided much of the database (the "��ƽ�� physics design basis") that informed the ��ƽ�� design.

Now, ��ƽ�� is seeking to prepare for the scientific exploitation phase of the device by strengthening the involvement of the fusion community directly in ��ƽ��. In early January 2016, the ��ƽ�� Director-General Bernard Bigot launched the ��ƽ�� Scientist Fellow program in order to create a network of scientists and physicists working on simulation and theory within the research laboratories and institutes of the ��ƽ�� Members, with strongly reinforced ties to ��ƽ�� Project and the ��ƽ�� team.

"The planned operational program of ��ƽ�� after First Plasma and the deuterium-tritium commissioning phase is already in the hands of researchers," stressed the Director-General in launching the program. "This is why we are moving to establish a network of Scientist Fellows on a goodwill basis—scientists who agree to focus their research on pending questions related to ��ƽ�� operation. The 25- to 30-year-old researchers today will be in charge of operating the machine tomorrow. If they don't "take ownership" of it in a figurative sense before then, they will not be ready to take full advantage of the machine capacities in due time."

��ƽ�� Scientist Fellows will be drawn from the leading researchers in the Members' fusion communities who have achieved international recognition for their contributions to fusion research. They will be chosen by the Director-General, supported by the Executive Project Board, based on nominations from the heads of institutions. While remaining in the employ of their home institutions, Scientist Fellows will interact closely with the ��ƽ�� Science & Operations Department in the definition of a research program and with other Fellows in its implementation.

"It's a unique opportunity for 'cross-fertilization,'" says the ��ƽ�� Director-General. "��ƽ�� Scientist Fellows will play a key role in the development of the ��ƽ�� scientific program via contributions to the resolution of outstanding research issues and, in return, they will benefit from close ties to the ��ƽ�� team and access to a scientific and technological environment that can enrich their work back home."

To facilitate the development of the network, the ��ƽ�� Organization has developed a number of profiles based on areas of critical interest to the ��ƽ�� scientific R&D program. For the launch of the network, these are: ELM control (for Edge Localized Modes), disruption mitigation, edge plasma modelling, and integrated modelling (click to consult the profiles). The number of Fellows working in each area will depend on the nominations received from the Members' academic and research institutions, but it is hoped initially to have a group of at least six scientists working in each area. The scope of the Network and number of scientists involved would grow in the coming years as the preparations for the ��ƽ�� operations phase expand.

Scientist Fellows will be named for three years, renewable, and will have the opportunity to visit ��ƽ�� regularly. Dedicated scientific workshops will be organized within the network and Fellows will be encouraged to publish their work at scientific conferences and in journals. The research activities of the Scientist Fellow network, which will enhance ��ƽ��'s simulation capability for burning plasmas, will be closely coordinated with those of the well-established ITPA that are focused more on experimental R&D. The aim will be to develop complementary research programs supporting the preparations for ��ƽ�� operation.

In early January 2016, the ��ƽ�� Director-General sent out an official invitation letter to over 100 research laboratories, institutes and universities in China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the US.

If you have questions on any aspect of the ��ƽ�� Scientist Fellow Network (ISFN) framework, please use the following email address: @email.

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