Scattered-Light Calibration for Gravitational Waves Postdoc

University of Antwerp; Antwerpen; Sur place; EUR 33 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

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.

Responsabilités

• 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.

Connaissances

Experimental GW physics

Laser interferometry

Optical measurement

Detector calibration techniques

Formation

PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics

Outils

Photodiode readout

Signal processing

Description du poste

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