Postdoc position in Gravitational Waves
Postdoc @National Institute for Subatomic Physics posted 17 hours agoJob Description
The organization
Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in the Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 250 physicists and 80 technical staff work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six major Dutch universities and NWO-I Foundation, the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Nikhef participates in a wide range of research collaborations, including the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo gravitational waves interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon-nT dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, and the eEDM research program in Groningen. Nikhef furthermore has scientific groups on theoretical particle physics, physics data processing, and detector R&D, and has excellently equipped technical departments in mechanics, electronics, and computing. Nikhef is preparing to take a leading position in the future Einstein Telescope.
Nikhef is a member of the European Gravitational-wave Observatory (EGO) hosting the Virgo detector and is a leading research group within the Einstein Telescope project, which will be Europe’s most advanced observatory for gravitational waves.
The group:
The Gravitational Wave group consists of about 20 staff scientists, 20 postdoctoral researchers, and 30 PhD candidates. The group is engaged in gravitational-wave observational science through active participation in the VIRGO and LIGO interferometer collaborations, and in instrumentation R&D with a particular emphasis on components for the VIRGO detector, such as advanced seismic isolation and suspension systems, advanced optical sensors (phase cameras and quadrant photodiodes). The group is leading the development of Finesse, a tool widely used to design and model gravitational wave detectors. In this context it is deeply engaged in the efforts of implementing a complete model of the Virgo interferometer and of designing the future Einstein Telescope.
Nikhef has established ETpathfinder, a dedicated R&D infrastructure located in Maastricht, aimed at developing and testing key technologies to enable the low-frequency sensitivity of third-generation detectors like the Einstein Telescope (ET).
The group also plays a central role in the preparatory efforts for the Einstein Telescope. The Netherlands, in collaboration with Belgium and Germany, is coordinating a transnational initiative to propose the EMR (Euregio Meuse-Rhine) region as a candidate site for the ET.
The position
We are expanding our team working on the Einstein Telescope and the Virgo detector, and invite applications for a postdoc position in the framework of optical sensing and modeling.
The Postdoctoral position will focused on the development and optimization of phase cameras for the Virgo detector. This includes design of optical sensing schemes, modeling phase cameras and wavefront sensing in Finesse, analysis and interpretation of phase camera data, making comparison between simulations results and experimental data from Virgo, visiting the Virgo site for maintenance and installation of phase cameras, collaboration with Virgo commissioning and modeling teams, developing table-top experiments to test phase camera prototypes, collaboration with industries in the development of models and inference algorithms.
Offer
The candidates will be employed by the NWO-I foundation, for a period of 2 years. The candidate will be embedded in the Nikhef Gravitational Wave group and stationed in Amsterdam. The salary is competitive, and the conditions of employment (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/employees/) are excellent.
Requirements:
– A PhD in physics, optics, or a closely related field.
– Experience in optical simulations, interferometry.
– Experience in working in optical experiment.
– Proficiency in scientific programming (Python).
– The ability to collaborate and communicate well in English.
Application and Further information:
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking the ‘apply now’ button below. Please be prepared to upload a curriculum vitae and a motivation letter, and have the email addresses of at least two referents ready, who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for the application is September 15th, 2025. Anyway, the positions will be filled as soon as possible. For further information fell free to contact either Andreas Freise (a.freise@nikhef.nl) or Matteo Tacca (m.tacca@nikhef.nl).
Nikhef is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. Applications from women and people belonging to minority and underrepresented groups are especially welcomed.
