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.

• 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.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

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

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

About Nikhef
The National institute for subatomic physics Nikhef (www.nikhef.nl) is an open, diverse organisation with an international focus and a strong technical slant. About 220 physicists and 80 engineers and technicians daily shape the Dutch participation in international experiments in particle physics, e.g. at CERN, and astroparticle physics, such as cosmic rays and gravitational waves. This makes Nikhef a vibrant astro-particle physics research community. Nikhef has advanced workshops (mechanics and electronics) and several clean rooms.

Nikhef is a collaboration between the Dutch Research Council (NWO), University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University, University of Groningen, Maastricht University and Utrecht University. The Amsterdam gravitational-wave group has broad expertise including in (active) seismic attenuation, inertial and position sensor development, interferometer simulation, computing and data analysis. The gravitational-wave research within Nikhef is also conducted in Utrecht (data analysis) and Maastricht, where Maastricht hosts the ETpathfinder research facility. Our group is involved in the worldwide effort of advancing gravitational-wave instrumentation, which will give you opportunities to engage with researchers all around the world.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.