PhD position in gravitational waves on cryogenic sensing and vibration isolation

The gravitational-wave research group at VU Amsterdam, hosted at Nikhef (www.nikhef.nl), welcomes applications for a four-year PhD student position on cryogenic sensing and (cryogenic) seismic attenuation.

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 (ET, https://www.einsteintelescope-emr.eu/) collaboration. ET aims to employ cryogenic cooling of its test masses to lower coating and suspension thermals noise such that the detection band lower limit can be stretched to about 3 Hz. This will require several physical (heat) links at the bottom of the test mass suspensions, possibly injecting cryocooler and/or ground noise from the much less isolated cold finger (the cooled part from which heat links are drawn towards the suspension).

You will investigate sensing, actuation and seismic isolation solutions including superconducting (inertial) sensing and actuation and active isolation of the cold finger. The cryogenic inertial sensing solutions will also find application in the Lunar Gravitational-wave Antenna (LGWA, http://lgwa.unicam.it/). At Nikhef, a cryogenic and vibrationally quiet sensor test bed is under development and in Maastricht, the ETpathfinder research facilities allow for testing your solutions in a cryogenic detector environment. Your research will entail (finite element) modeling and subsequent instrumentation work in the context of ET. In addition, you will also gain real detector experience by contributing to Virgo, possibly by helping design, prototype and install suspensions for new optics part of a detector upgrade.

Requirements:

• a master’s degree in physics or a related field
• proficient in English and good communication skills
• the ability to work independently and in a group/collaboration
• skills in finite element analysis and/or superconductivity (desirable)

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realize that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

At Nikhef, you will work at an institute with great facilities for your research. Being part of the gravitational-wave community, you will have access to a global network of gravitational-wave researchers for you to engage with through many telecons and collaboration-wide and topic-specific meetings.

At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.770,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.539,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, then this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

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