The Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) at the University of Maastricht, member of the Nikhef partnership, has a position for a postdoctoral researcher under supervision of Dr. J. Steinlechner.

Job Description
Carrying out research and development on instrumentation for gravitational wave detection. In particular;

• Development of silicon mirrors for future, cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors; the project includes characterisation and improvement of the silicon mirror substrate material and of the highly-reflective, low-noise coatings.
• Collaborating with a variety of national and international research partners, including the Einstein Telescope collaboration, the Virgo collaboration, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and the ETpathfinder team.
• This 1.0 FTE position is based in the Department of Gravitational Waves and fundamental Physics, located at Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht.

Requirements

• PhD degree in physics or a related field
• Proficient in English language and good communication skills
• Experience in research relevant for gravitational wave instrumentation
• You can work independently
• You are flexible in collaboration with others
• Experience in the characterization of mirror and coating materials for optical absorption and mechanical loss would be an advantage

What we offer
As Postdoctoral Researcher in mirror development for ET at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to the UFO profile Researcher, function level 11 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from € 4332 to € 5929 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus are applicable.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Science and Engineering
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.

Department Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics (GWFP)
GWFP was founded in 2019 and is involved in gravitational wave research in context of the upcoming Einstein Telescope, and with particle physics research at the LHCb experiment at CERN. Both experiments are world-leading in their research, discovering a wealth of new facts about the fundamental forces of nature and the evolution of the universe after the big bang. GWFP is also a member of Nikhef (www.nikhef.nl), the Dutch national research institute for sub-atomic particles.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Jessica Steinlechner at Jessica.steinlechner@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Post-Doc? Apply now, no later than 11th October 2024 for this position. The application should include a motivation letter, a CV, and any relevant certificates. Final selection will take place through interviews.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.