---
title: 'Experimental Scientist (f/m/d) at Focused'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/experimental-scientist-f-m-d-focused-darmstadt-7skj61ddw35s'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Experimental Scientist (f/m/d) at Focused

- **Company:** Focused
- **Location:** Darmstadt, DE
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused/1954677e-f8c9-4037-b1e4-ff78556b0e7b

## Job description

## About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a pioneering international deep-tech company with locations in Germany and the US, dedicated to commercializing laser-driven nuclear fusion. Our mission is to deliver clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy to the world. As we rapidly scale, we seek talented individuals who thrive on bringing clarity and structure to fast-growing environments. As a Experimental Scientist, you’ll build experimental capability in Darmstadt and help execute compression experiments at ELI Beamlines and other external facilities. Focused Energy’s Target Physics Risk Mitigation project requires experimental validation of foam compression and hydrodynamic instability behaviour in wetted foam targets this is an important input to the company’s path to ignition. You’ll bridge experiment and simulation by operating shock and compression diagnostics, analysing experimental data, and running radiation hydrodynamic simulations that can be compared directly with experimental results. Working alongside the foam compression team, you’ll help deliver the project’s Q1 2027 milestones.

## What You’ll Do

- Own the execution of laser compression experiments at ELI Beamlines and other external facilities, including shot planning, diagnostic setup, and data collection.
- Lead the operation of VISAR, SOP, and X-ray radiography diagnostics, building reliable procedures and deep diagnostic expertise within the foam compression team.
- Drive radiation hydrodynamic simulations of foam compression and hydrodynamic instabilities using a multi-dimensional code such as FLASH or an equivalent.
- Analyse experimental data comprehensively and document results in a form that supports physics interpretation and project reporting.
- Compare simulation results with experimental data, clearly identifying areas of agreement, discrepancy, and uncertainty.
- Build productive working relationships with ELI Beamlines and other facility partners to support beamtime access and campaign execution.
- Improve the team’s understanding of foam compression and hydrodynamic instability physics by connecting experimental observations with simulation predictions.
- Partner with Franzi Treffert, the Target Design team, and the simulation team on experimental planning, physics interpretation, and model validation.

## Who You Are

- You take ownership of your experimental and simulation workstream and manage day-to-day priorities without waiting for direction.
- You are comfortable working independently in technically demanding, multidisciplinary environments.
- You communicate experimental results, simulation findings, risks, and data-quality issues clearly in writing and team meetings.
- You plan carefully and follow through across the full experiment cycle, from beamtime preparation through data analysis and reporting.
- You use sound judgement when configuring diagnostics, selecting analysis approaches, and setting simulation parameters.
- You recognise when a decision involves project priorities, experimental scope, or resource conflicts and escalate it appropriately.
- You collaborate effectively with internal science teams and external laser-facility partners.
- You are keen to build expertise, share reliable procedures, and support more junior contributors as the team grows.

Desirable Skills & Knowledge

- Experience with laser compression experiments in high-energy-density physics, inertial confinement fusion, or a closely related field.
- Knowledge of hydrodynamic instabilities, including Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities.
- Practical experience operating shock and compression diagnostics such as VISAR, SOP, and X-ray radiography.
- Experience with radiation hydrodynamic modelling using FLASH or an equivalent multi-dimensional simulation code.
- Strong data analysis skills using Python or a comparable scientific computing language.
- Experience with HPC simulation workflows and computational experiment pipelines.
- Familiarity with experimental design and shot planning for laser facilities.
- Knowledge of Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, Bayesian optimisation, reproducible scientific analysis, and systematic result documentation.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.

## About Focused

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Focused Energy is a laser-driven fusion company working to commercialize clean, limitless fusion power using technology proven at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A / Grant-funded)
- **Headquarters**: Darmstadt, Germany (global HQ) with major offices in San Francisco, CA, USA and Austin, TX, USA
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Thomas Forner (CEO) and Prof. Dr. Markus Roth (CSO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Energy – nuclear fusion power generation
- Target customers: Utility companies, grid operators, governments
- Mission: To unleash the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion power.

## Products & Services
- **Laser-Driven Fusion Power Plant**: A commercial-scale fusion reactor designed to produce clean, limitless electricity. Currently in development with construction underway for an Integrated Test Facility and a Fusion Pilot Plant on a multi-stage Fusion Campus in Biblis, Germany.
- **Targetry & Laser Systems**: Proprietary fuel targets and high-power laser subsystems developed at the Darmstadt Targetry & Laser Laboratory (FELD) and the Austin Target Tracking & Engagement Facility.
- **R&D Collaborations**: Partnerships with U.S. national laboratories (LLNL, LLE) through the DOE INFUSE program, and with commercial partners such as Amplitude, ZEISS, and Fusioneering.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$126.3M** (as of mid-2026), including a $50M grant from SPRIND, a $40M corporate round led by Amplitude Laser, an $11M Series A led by Prime Movers Lab, and ~$25M in additional grants from the U.S. DOE and German state governments.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Prime Movers Lab (lead investor), Amplitude Laser, SPRIND (German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation), U.S. Department of Energy, State of Hesse, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 73.6% year-over-year to 84 employees (LinkedIn, mid-2026); selected as one of eight companies for the DOE’s milestone-based fusion development program; new U.S. facility opened in Austin (2026); Fusion Campus in Biblis under construction.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proven Science**: Approach builds directly on the NIF ignition breakthrough (2021); key team members (including CSO Dr. Debbie Callahan) were co-leaders of the NIF ignition campaign.
- **Deep Public Support**: Among the largest single public investments in laser fusion globally (~€70M from German federal and state sources combined).
- **Full-Stack Approach**: Controls targetry, lasers, and reactor design in-house, enabling rapid iteration and integration.
- **World-Class Team**: Over 150 scientists and engineers with deep expertise from major fusion labs, laser companies, and commercial energy startups.

## Strategic Focus
- **Build Fusion Campus**: Construction of a multi-stage facility in Biblis, Germany, housing an Integrated Test Facility, a Fusion Pilot Plant, and a first-of-its-kind commercial fusion power plant.
- **Scale Technology**: Validate engineering for commercial energy production through integrated prototype testing.
- **Expand U.S. Footprint**: Leverage Austin facility for target tracking, engagement systems, and program execution with U.S. partners.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: Directly contribute to solving the world’s energy and climate challenges with a technology that has already achieved scientific ignition.
- **World-Class R&D**: Collaborate with leading scientists from NIF, TU Darmstadt, and U.S. national labs in state-of-the-art laser and targetry labs.
- **Hybrid Options**: Many roles offer hybrid work arrangements; offices in Darmstadt, San Francisco, and Austin.
- **Culture**: Described as “relentless and brilliant” – a startup environment focused on engineering a step-change for civilization.
- **Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly expanding team and facilities; opportunities to shape a nascent industry.

## Sources
1. [Focused Energy Company Page](https://www.focused-energy.co/company)
2. [Focused Energy Careers Page](https://www.focused-energy.co/careers)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/focused-energy-inc)
4. [Built In Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/focused-energy-focused-energyco)
5. [Ashby Job Board](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/focused)

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