Plasma Research Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Plasma Research Engineer to establish and run a dedicated cold‑plasma laboratory at ISFS SA in Martigny, Switzerland. The role combines theoretical plasma physics with hands‑on design, construction, and operation of high‑voltage experimental setups to explore non‑thermal plasma phenomena.

Key responsibilities

• Design, equip, commission and manage a cold‑plasma laboratory, including high‑voltage power supplies, pulsed‑power systems, gas handling, vacuum/glass chambers, laser equipment and diagnostic instrumentation.
• Develop and optimise methods for generating stable non‑thermal plasma using dielectric‑barrier discharge, RF or resonant excitation, laser‑assisted triggering and tailored gas mixtures.
• Characterise plasma behaviour across operating regimes – discharge stability, electron density, temperature proxies, optical emission, electrical impedance and energy coupling efficiency.
• Design and implement resonant circuits and safety interlocks, ensuring compliance with high‑voltage safety standards.
• Collaborate closely with physicists, electrical engineers, mechanical designers and scientific leadership to translate experimental results into physical insight.

Required profile

• Experienced experimental plasma physicist or research engineer comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
• Strong physical intuition combined with disciplined experimental practice.
• Ability to design, build, troubleshoot and iterate complex high‑voltage systems safely.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Required skills

• High‑voltage pulsed power systems.
• Dielectric‑barrier discharge, RF and resonant plasma excitation.
• Laser‑assisted plasma triggering.
• Gas handling and vacuum system expertise.
• Plasma diagnostics (optical emission spectroscopy, electrical impedance measurement).
• Resonant circuit design and implementation.
• Safety interlocks and high‑voltage safety procedures.