Role: Plasma Scientist - Advanced Propulsion System

About Manastu

Manastu Space is a Space Safety and Logistics company focused on making space safe, sustainable, and accessible. We develop technologies to address critical challenges such as space debris mitigation and green propulsion, enabling safer satellite operations, and long-term sustainability of the space ecosystem.

Our work sits at the intersection of advanced engineering, applied research, and mission-critical systems, requiring deep technical capability and long-term thinking.

Website: https://www.manastuspace.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manastu-space/

Email: [email protected]

About the Role

We are looking for a Plasma Scientist – Advanced Propulsion Systems to drive the research, development, characterization and optimization of plasma-based electric propulsion technologies for space applications.

The role combines plasma physics, experimental diagnostics, numerical modelling, propulsion testing and system characterization. You will work closely with propulsion, electromagnetic design, simulation, electronics, materials and systems engineering teams to develop high-performance propulsion technologies for future spacecraft and satellite missions.

This is a highly hands-on role suited for someone who enjoys working across fundamental physics, simulation and experimental hardware.

Key Responsibilities

Plasma Physics & Propulsion

- Characterize and model E×B discharge physics, including electron magnetization, Hall current, cross-field electron transport and ionization efficiency.
- Establish the relationship between discharge characteristics and key propulsion parameters such as thrust, specific impulse and overall efficiency.
- Work with the electromagnetic design team to define magnetic field topology and discharge channel geometry.
- Develop and calibrate models for anomalous electron transport, including Bohm-type and near-wall conductivity effects.
- Model ion acceleration, beam energy, divergence and multiply charged ion fractions.




- Correlate theoretical and simulation predictions with experimental measurements.

Plasma–Material Interaction & Thruster Life
- Study plasma sheath physics and ion interaction with ceramic channel walls.
- Analyse sputtering and erosion mechanisms and their impact on thruster performance and lifetime.
- Develop erosion and life estimates against mission and qualification requirements.
- Support architecture decisions related to magnetic shielding, channel design and end-of-life criteria.
- Work with materials teams on the selection of plasma-facing materials based on sputtering yield, thermal properties and secondary-electron-emission behaviour.

Diagnostics, Simulation & Testing
- Design and execute plasma diagnostic campaigns using:
- Langmuir probes
- Faraday probes
- Retarding Potential Analysers (RPA)
- E×B probes
- Characterize plasma density, electron temperature, ion energy distribution and charge-state fractions.
- Guide and interpret hybrid-PIC, fluid or particle-based plasma simulations.
- Correlate simulation results with thrust-stand and experimental data.
- Support vacuum test campaigns, including facility-effect corrections and performance mapping.
- Conduct and interpret erosion measurements and translate findings into design improvements.

Cross-Functional Physics Ownership
- Collaborate with propulsion, electromagnetic, materials, thermal, electronics, simulation and testing teams.
- Provide physics-based inputs for propulsion architecture and design decisions.
- Identify and resolve physics inconsistencies before they translate into hardware or performance issues.
- Contribute to technical reviews,



experimental planning and propulsion development strategies.

Education & Experience

Required

Option 1

- Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, Applied Physics, Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering, or a closely related field with a strong plasma-physics research focus.

OR

Option 2

- M.Tech / Master's degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in plasma physics, plasma processing, electric propulsion or a closely related field.

Preferred
- Direct experience working with electric propulsion systems, particularly Hall-effect or E×B propulsion.
- Strong understanding of plasma physics and discharge phenomena.
- Experience with experimental plasma diagnostics and vacuum-based testing.
- Experience translating experimental results into engineering and design decisions.
- Exposure to spacecraft propulsion development or space-qualified hardware is an advantage.

Technical Skills

- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data reduction, probe analysis and modelling.
- Experience with or exposure to hybrid-PIC, fluid or particle-based plasma simulations.
- Familiarity with tools such as COMSOL, OOPIC, XOOPIC, Hall2De-class codes or equivalent in-house simulation tools is a plus.
- Working knowledge of vacuum systems and vacuum-compatible instrumentation.
- Robust experimental, troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities.

Why Join Manastu Space? At Manastu, you will have the opportunity to work on real propulsion technologies for space applications, where your research and engineering decisions can directly influence hardware and mission performance.

You will work across

Plasma Physics → Propulsion → Electromagnetics → Materials → Simulation → Testing → Space Systems

If you are excited by deep-tech problems, hands-on experimentation and building propulsion technologies for the next generation of spacecraft, we would love to hear from you.

📌 Plasma Scientist - Advanced Propulsion System (Mumbai)
🏢 Manastu Space
📍 Mumbai