In the context of the Einstein Telescope research grant, we invite applications for a fully financed postdoc research position at the intersection of physics and Machine Learning with a focus on defining generative models for gravitational wave data. The generative models should create high fidelity synthetic observations for the future Einstein Telescope. The project offered aims to create sets of synthetics observation of gravitational wave using ET feature specification. Existing datasets of gravitational wave observed  from LIGO,VIRGO, KARGA will be systematically investigated and classified. Building on previous experience with LIGO, VIRGO, KAGRA, the success of the Einstein Telescope will depend on the scientist's ability of distinguishing real signals from noise in near-real-time. It is common knowledge that analyzing such spectrograms are similar to looking for a needle in a haystack as many different types of noise take place in an interferogram collected with a laser interferometer, hence, the study will be data-driven, with an emphasis on the processing of large data sets. The researcher will work in close collaboration with Dr Lyana Curier and Dr Stefano Bromuri.

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate, motivated to work in a multidisciplinary and multinational environment. The candidate should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or Computering, with a pronounced interest in signal processing and machine learning. Good programming skills in Python or a similar high-level programming language. Some background understanding of gravitational wave theory, interferometry, or machine learning would be appreciated. Candidates should be curious, with cross-disciplinary interests, and critical thinkers. Demonstrable research skills and/or technical skills through code development is also essential and have a commitment to research excellence. The project will make use of quantitative methods and work with open data sets concerning gravitational waves, interferometer analysis in the time and frequency domains.

Fixed-term contract: for a period of 2 years. We are open to discuss secondment or other arrangements.

The salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and qualifications, but will be in accordance with the general salary scales 11-12 of the CAO-NU. An indication of the maximum gross salary is € 5.922.-  per month, for a full-time appointment.

You will be based in Heerlen, The Netherlands (on the site of CAROU at the Brightlands Smart Services Campus).

The OU provides good secondary benefits such as training, mobility, part-time employment and paid parental leave.

The Open Universiteit

Flexible studying anywhere in the Netherlands and (Belgium) Flanders
The Open Universiteit (OU) is the part-time university in the Netherlands. Students follow personalised and activating academic distance education and disciplinary research is carried out within the various fields of science. Students can complete bachelor and master programmes in seven fields of study. The characteristics of education are openness, flexibility and quality (see www.ou.nl/rankings). Much attention is paid to improving the study success of students. The OU has over 18,000 students and more than 750 employees. The OU has branches in the Netherlands and Belgium (see www.ou.nl/studiecentra). The main office is located in Heerlen. The latest technologies and educational insights are applied both in the bachelor's and master's programmes and courses and in projects and programmes with partners. Nationally and internationally, the OU plays an important role in the innovation of higher education. Education is interwoven with research, which also ensures that the current state of science is incorporated. The OU invests not only in disciplinary research in eight scientific fields, but also in research in a multidisciplinary programme: Innovating for resilience.

Faculty of Science

The faculty of Science is one of the six faculties of the OU of the Netherlands. Education, research and valorisation are the main tasks. The faculty offers academic bachelor and master programmes in the fields of Computer Science, Information Science, Environmental Sciences, and an Artificial Intelligence master programme is currently under development. The faculty’s research programme focuses on Innovating for Resilience. Further, the faculty is partner in the Center for Actionable Research of the OU (CAROU). The faculty has Ph.D.-students who conduct research on various current topics within the research programme. By focusing on research that is interwoven with education, as well as the close link with practice, work at our faculty provides many innovative and challenging opportunities for entrepreneurial researchers.’

About CAROU
CAROU is a multidisciplinary research center of the OU, committed to excellence in actionable research with a long track record of interregional industry collaborations. CAROU is located in the Brightlands Smart Service Campus in Heerlen. In the campus the researchers of CAROU work in close contact with APG as a close partner, with DHL and with many other local companies and realities in the region of Limburg.