Two postdoc positions in the Nikhef Gravitational Wave group
Postdoc @National Institute for Subatomic Physics posted 19 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 programme 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.
The group and the Einstein Telescope
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 LIGO and VIRGO 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.
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. Over the coming years, detailed site characterization and environmental studies will be conducted to assess the EMR’s viability, which will be a decisive factor in the final site selection process for the observatory.
The positions
The postdoctoral researchers will focus on advancing the detailed understanding of site-specific noise sources in the geology of the EMR region, and their impact on the Einstein Telescope. This includes the characterization of seismic activity, electromagnetic disturbances, and the modeling and prediction of Newtonian Noise that impacts the detector’s low-frequency performance. A key aspect of the research will be the development of noise mitigation tools.
The successful candidates will have a strong background in mathematical and computational methods, with demonstrated experience in the data analysis of complex physical systems. You will collaborate with a team of experts at Nikhef, as the position is embedded within the Gravitational Wave Group. This team provides a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment covering all aspects of gravitational wave research.
Offer
The candidates will be employed by the NWO-I foundation for a period of 2 years. You will be embedded in the Nikhef Gravitational Wave group and stationed either in Amsterdam or Maastricht. The salary is competitive, and the conditions of employment (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/employees/) are excellent.
Requirements
A background in computational methods is required. Applicants should have a PhD in physics or mathematics (or a closely related topic) by the time they start their appointment at Nikhef.
Further information and application
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 applications is September 5, 2025. For further information, feel free to contact Stefan Hild.
Nikhef is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. Applications from women and people belonging to minority and underrepresented groups are especially welcomed.
Contact: Stefan Hild (Stefan.hild@maastrichtuniversity.nl)
