The position is part of the German Einstein Telescope R&D preparatory programme and project B6 “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.
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.
- support project management, strategic planning, code review procedures, and coordination with the Einstein Telescope Collaboration, ETO, and partner projects
- initiate and contribute to workshops with European expert groups on specific ET noise sources and modelling assumptions
- work with project partners to add new noise sources and functionality, with priorities including control noise, scattered light, and advanced Newtonian-noise models
- develop an accessible web-based interface for plotting ET noise budgets and varying key detector parameters, aligned with traceable review and repository workflows
- verify, test, document, and review existing ET noise-budget models in pygwinc, including seismic noise, Newtonian noise, suspension and coating thermal noise, and stray-light noise
- develop a robust, well-documented, and broadly accessible software framework for Einstein Telesco noise budgeting based on pygwinc
A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.
- very good English-language communication skills and ability to document scientific software clearly for a broad technical audience
- ability to work independently, organize collaborative tasks, and communicate with international research groups and stakeholders
- experience with Git-based workflows, testing, documentation, code review, and open-source scientific software development is desirable
- strong programming skills in Python; experience with pygwinc, FINESSE, IfoCAD, SpicyPy, or related optical/control simulation tools are desirable
- knowledge of gravitational-wave detector physics, interferometry, quantum noise, technical noise, control systems, or precision metrology is desirable
- we are looking for an experienced postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in physics or a closely related field and demonstrated ability in quantitative modelling and scientific software development
- Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
- Continuing education opportunities
- University pensions
- Attractive location
- Flexible working hours
- Work-life balance opportunities
- Health management, EGYM Wellpass
- Educational leave
- 30 days of vacation per annum
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