Postdoctoral Researcher in Scattered Light Calibration for Gravitational Wave Detectors

University of Antwerp; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Antwerp invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher role focused on scattered light calibration for gravitational wave detectors. The successful candidate will develop, install, and commission an independent calibration method using back-scattered light, enabling higher-frequency calibration and cross-checks with existing methods.

The position involves hardware development, integration with Virgo, supervision of students, and contributing to commissioning and service

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics, or a closely related field by the start date.
• Strong interest and background in experimental gravitational wave physics, precision optical measurement, laser interferometry, and/or detector calibration techniques.
• Demonstrated experience with optical alignment and characterization, scattered-light modelling, photodiode readout, signal processing for calibration, or on-site commissioning of large-scale experimental apparatus is an advantage.
• Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Be able to easily communicate in English.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the project with the PI and work closely with a PhD student at UGent.
• Contribute to Virgo commissioning and service activities in line with Virgo authorship requirements.
• Contribute to mentoring and supervision of Master’s and Bachelor’s thesis projects.
• Develop, install, and commission a new calibration method using back-scattered light in the interferometer.
• Perform hardware development, thermal and ultra-high-vacuum compatibility tests, and performance measurements at Virgo observatory.

Skills

Experimental GW physics

Laser interferometry

Optical measurement

Detector calibration techniques

Education

PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics

Tools

Photodiode readout

Signal processing

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Scattered Light Calibration for Gravitational Wave Detectors

University of Antwerp

Antwerp, Belgium

Position

Precise calibration of the interferometer strain h(t) is essential to exploit the full sensitivity of Virgo and ET. In this project the successful candidate will further develop, install, and commission a new and independent calibration method that uses back-scattered light from the end benches to inject periodic phase differences in the interferometer without actively moving the mirrors. The technique provides an independent cross-check of the existing photon-calibrator-based reconstruction with different systematic uncertainties, gives access to higher-frequency calibration (1.5–2.0 kHz), and is expected to contribute to an improved absolute detector calibration. Its implementation is an Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2 upgrade deliverable, coordinated by the PI, and the first upgrade project coordinated by Belgian institutes (BelGrav group: UAntwerpen, UGent, VUB). The successful candidate will contribute to the hardware development of the scattering system, to the thermal and ultra-high-vacuum compatibility characterization of the scattering components, and to subsequent installation, commissioning, and performance measurements at the Virgo observatory.

The successful candidate is expected to co-lead the project with the PI and work closely with a PhD student at UGent. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to Virgo commissioning and service activities in line with Virgo authorship requirements, and contribute to mentoring and supervision of Master's and Bachelor's thesis projects.

Profile

Applicants should:

hold a PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics, or a closely related field by the start date;

have a strong interest and background in experimental gravitational wave physics, precision optical measurement, laser interferometry, and/or detector calibration techniques;

demonstrated experience with optical alignment and characterization, scattered-light modelling, photodiode readout, signal processing for calibration, or on-site commissioning of large-scale experimental apparatus is an advantage;

act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation;

be able to easily communicate in English;

be able to work both independently and within a large international collaborations;

Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies;

Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.