Job Openings

Positions
New ET Germany Positions
Category
Tag

  • PhD position for 3 years – developing and refining a mathematical model for Newtonian noise

    Supervisor
    Julia Tjus
    Institution
    Ruhr-Universität Bochum | Theoretical Physics IV | Plasma Astroparticle Physics
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Astrophysics & Astronomy, Theory
    Application Deadline
    August 31, 2026
    As a research assistant (m/f/x), you will work at Theoretical Physics IV in the context of a BMFTR-funded project. The general goal of the project is to develop and refine a mathematical model for Newtonian noise, enabling a deeper understanding and effective compensation of this noise in gravitational wave detectors, with direct implications for site selection and noise mitigation
    strategies for the Einstein Telescope. There is the possibility of doing a PhD as part of the project.
    Link to details & application

  • Neuromorphic Computing in Gravitational Wave Detection

    Supervisor
    Prof. Stefan van Waasen
    Institution
    Forschungszentrum Julich, The Peter Grünberg Institute - Integrated Computing Architectures (PGI-4/ICA) - Neuromorphic Computing group
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Data, Experiment, Machine Learning
    Application Deadline
    September 15, 2026
    In addition to completing your PhD degree, your primary objective is to establish a real-time processing architecture that improves gravitational wave detection sensitivity. By utilizing embedded FPGA-based intelligence near seismic sensor arrays, you will explore methods to maximize prediction performance while minimizing data transmission and latency.
    Link to details & application

  • Postdoctoral researcher investigating suspension platform interferometers for ET

    Supervisor
    David Wu
    Institution
    Leibniz Universität Hannover
    Category
    PostDoc
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics
    Application Deadline
    October 11, 2026
    Postdoctoral researcher for the project “Developing a modular suspension platform interferometer for the Einstein Telescope”. The project will include deriving requirements for inter-platform motion in Einstein Telescope and utilising available simulation tools and working closely with other working groups within the Einstein Telescope collaboration. Additionally, the postdoc will support the experimental work to develop, design, build and validate a prototype inter-platform motion sensor that will be compatible with Einstein Telescope
    Link to details & application

Past Positions

  • Implementing compact displacement sensors into a gravitational wave detector prototype facility

    Supervisor
    Oliver Gerberding
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics
    Application Deadline
    June 7, 2026
    Research Associate for the Project “Implementing compact displacement sensors into a gravitational wave detector prototype facility” in the project Deployment and optimisation of compact local sensors for the Einstein Telescope
    Link to details & application

  • Testing and optimizing linearity and absolute ranging in compact displacement sensors

    Supervisor
    Oliver Gerberding
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics
    Application Deadline
    June 7, 2026
    Research Associate for the Project “Testing and optimizing linearity and absolute ranging in compact displacement sensors” in the project Deployment and optimisation of compact local sensors for the Einstein Telescope
    Link to details & application

  • Modelling and design tools review & support

    Supervisor
    Oliver Gerberding
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PostDoc
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics
    Application Deadline
    June 7, 2026
    Research Associate for the Project “Modelling and design tools review & support” in the joint project Challenges in Interferometer Noise and Control for the Einstein Telescope
    Link to details & application

  • PhD Position in High-Performance Float Zone Crystalline Silicon for Application in Einstein Telescope

    Supervisor
    Iryna Buchovska
    Institution
    Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment
    Application Deadline
    July 10, 2026
    Doctoral researcher for the project "High-Performance Float Zone Crystalline Silicon for Application in Einstein Telescope" to investigate process-related properties of Float Zone silicon relevant to future ET operation
    Link to details & application

  • PhD position investigating suspension platform interferometers for ET

    Supervisor
    David Wu
    Institution
    Leibniz University Hannover
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment
    Application Deadline
    July 31, 2026
    Doctoral researcher for the project “Developing a modular suspension platform interferometer for the Einstein Telescope” to develop a sensor to control the motion between seismically isolated platforms for Einstein Telescope (ET).
    Link to details & application

  • Postdoctoral Researcher in Real-Time AI and FPGA-Based Noise Mitigation for the Einstein Telescope

    Supervisor
    Markus Cristinziani
    Institution
    Universität Siegen
    Category
    PostDoc
    Tags
    Astrophysics & Astronomy, Experiment, Geophysics, Machine Learning
    Application Deadline
    August 7, 2026
    Postdoctoral Research Associate in Real-Time AI and FPGA-Based Newtonian-Noise Mitigation for the Einstein Telescope. Project: “FPGA-Based Building Blocks for Active Noise Mitigation”
    Link to details & application

  • PhD position in AI-based Newtonian-Noise mitigation for the Einstein Telescope

    Supervisor
    Markus Cristinzian
    Institution
    Universität Siegen
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Astrophysics & Astronomy, Experiment, Geophysics, Machine Learning
    Application Deadline
    August 7, 2026
    Research Associate / Doctoral Researcher in Machine-Learning-Based Newtonian-Noise Suppression for the Einstein Telescope. Project: “FPGA-Based Building Blocks for Active Noise Mitigation”
    Link to details & application

  • PhD Position in High-Performance Float Zone Crystalline Silicon for Application in Einstein Telescope

    Supervisor
    Iryna Buchovska
    Institution
    Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), Berlin
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment
    Application Deadline
    August 10, 2026
    The Einstein Telescope (ET) is a future gravitational-wave observatory currently under development in Europe. With its unprecedented sensitivity, it will explore the Universe with significantly greater depth and precision than current detectors, opening a new era of gravitational-wave astronomy. Due to its outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, crystalline silicon is considered the leading candidate material for the core components of the ET interferometer. However, existing silicon crystal-growth technologies cannot simultaneously meet all stringent requirements regarding crystal size, geometry, optical quality, and thermal and mechanical performance. Among available growth techniques, the Float Zone (FZ) method provides silicon crystals with the highest purity and structural perfection and is therefore the primary technology of interest for ET material baseline research. Our recently funded BMFTR project aims to investigate process-related properties of FZ silicon relevant to future ET operation.

    As a PhD student, you will be involved in comprehensive experimental research including FZ silicon crystal growth, advanced material characterization, data analysis, and the identification of impurity-related mechanisms affecting the optical and mechanical properties of crystalline silicon. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop ultra-pure silicon substrates and fibres with properties enabling the performance requirements of cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors.
    Link to details & application

  • Machine-learning-based noise mitigation pipelines

    Supervisor
    Alexander Kappes
    Institution
    University Münster
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Geophysics, Machine Learning
    Application Deadline
    August 15, 2026
    PhD position as part of the collaborative research project “Newtonian Noise Cancelling Headphones” for the Einstein Telescope, focused on developing machine learning-based pipelines for noise reduction, particularly for low-latency spatiotemporal seismic prediction and noise reduction.
    Link to details & application

  • Growth of high-purity silicon crystals by the Czochralski method using magnetic fields – for Einstein telescope mirror substrates

    Supervisor
    Priv.-Doz. Dr. R. Radhakrishnan Sumathi
    Institution
    Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), Berlin
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment
    Application Deadline
    August 17, 2026
    Silicon (Si) single crystals are indispensable in microelectronics and power electronics. They are also a leading candidate material for the test mass mirrors of the proposed Einstein Telescope (ET), a next-generation underground gravitational-wave observatory. As a partner in the ET collaboration, our research focuses on the growth of ultra-high-purity, high-quality bulk Si single crystals using advanced melt-growth techniques. The goal is to develop Si mirror substrates with exceptional optical properties that enable the higher sensitivity required for the ET interferometer. In this BMFTR-funded research project, we aim to establish a novel magnetic field assisted Czochralski (MCz) crystal growth process to produce ultra-pure, high-quality Si single crystals with extremely low optical absorption.

    As a doctoral research student, you will contribute to the development and optimization of this innovative crystal growth process. Your research will involve detailed investigations of melt growth dynamics, reduction of contamination originating at the crucible–melt interface, and approaches to further improving crystal purity. You will study the influence of melt convection on impurity transport from the crucible to the growing crystal and develop advanced methodologies to achieve the stringent material quality required for the application.
    Link to details & application

  • Developing ET Noise Budget: Reliability, Accessibility and Completeness

    Supervisor
    Mikhail Korobko
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PostDoc
    Tags
    Data, Experiment, Lasers & Optics, Theory
    Application Deadline
    August 17, 2026
    Research Associate for the Project "Developing ET Noise Budget: Reliability, Accessibility and Completeness”. The project will provide reliable, documented, and publicly accessible ET noise budgets for detector-design decisions, including model verification, traceability, and new contributions such as control noise, scattered light, and advanced Newtonian-noise models.
    Link to details & application

  • Minimization of optical absorption at 1550 nm in polished silicon surfaces

    Supervisor
    Roman Schnabel
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PostDoc
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics
    Application Deadline
    August 18, 2026
    Research associate in the project „Minimization of optical absorption at 1550 nm in polished silicon surfaces“.
    The task is to develop a procedure for polishing crystalline silicon that does not exhibit sporadic patches of increased absorption. To this end, ultra-fine polishing is carried out using the Institute’s machinery; the silicon mirrors are prepared for external mirror coating; and the laser-optical characterisation of the silicon mirrors is carried.
    Link to details & application

  • Entanglement- and machine-learning-enhanced sensor for subtracting backscatter disturbances

    Supervisor
    Roman Schnabel
    Institution
    University of Hamburg
    Category
    PhD Student
    Tags
    Experiment, Lasers & Optics, Machine Learning
    Application Deadline
    August 18, 2026
    Research associate in the project „Entanglement- and machine-learning-enhanced sensor for subtracting backscatter disturbances“.
    Working as part of a team at the Institute of Quantum Physics to finalise the 1-metre ET prototype and develop a method to solve the problem of backscattered laser light in an interferometer with suspended mirrors, arm resonators and squeezed light.
    Link to details & application