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The operational phase of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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, ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ. Its greatest strength has been coordinating experimental work to support ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ high-priority physics needs, making use of the Members' fusion facilities and collating results. This work has provided much of the database (the "±¬×ߺÚÁÏ physics design basis") that informed the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ design.

Now, ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ is seeking to prepare for the scientific exploitation phase of the device by strengthening the involvement of the fusion community directly in ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ. In early January 2016, the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Director-General Bernard Bigot launched the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Members, with strongly reinforced ties to ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Project and the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ team.

"The planned operational program of ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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."

±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Director-General. "±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Scientist Fellows will play a key role in the development of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ scientific program via contributions to the resolution of outstanding research issues and, in return, they will benefit from close ties to the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ team and access to a scientific and technological environment that can enrich their work back home."

To facilitate the development of the network, the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ has developed a number of profiles based on areas of critical interest to the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ operations phase expand.

Scientist Fellows will be named for three years, renewable, and will have the opportunity to visit ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ'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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ operation.

In early January 2016, the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Scientist Fellow Network (ISFN) framework, please use the following email address: @email.