Post-doctoral position in Gravitational Wave Physics

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About the LIGO-Virgo Group

In the framework of the Spanish Research Grants Program for the Generation of Knowledge (Grant ID: PID2023-146517NB-I00), the “Institut de Física d’Altes Energies” (IFAE) in Barcelona welcomes applications for a two-year postdoctoral research position in Gravitational Waves (GWs) Physics with LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) experiments and the third-generation projects Einstein Telescope (ET) and Cosmic Explorer (CE).

The detection of GWs from a black hole binary merger by LIGO in 2015 started a new era in the exploration of the universe. The addition of the Virgo antenna into the network led in 2017 to the detection of a neutron star binary merger that could be followed in electromagnetic signals, representing the beginning of multi-messenger astronomy. At the moment, LIGO and Virgo observation plans extend until 2030 with upgraded detectors. At the same time, work is beginning on the development of the third generation of detectors which will offer an order of magnitude increase in sensitivity.

The ET project, a third-generation experiment to be carried out in Europe, has been included in the 2021 EU ESFRI roadmap and has recently entered into the preparatory phase. CE is the planned US contribution to the third-generation GW network, with significant funding from the US NSF and the UK’s STFC for design studies.

IFAE is a member institution of the LVK collaboration. A group of researchers from IFAE has taken significant responsibilities in the Virgo experiment related to the control of the stray light inside the experiment, which is considered a limiting factor for its sensitivity. The group plays an important role in the commissioning, operations and upgrade of the LIGO and Virgo interferometers. For the latter, IFAE is leading the construction of new baffles instrumented with photo sensors close to the test masses.

IFAE is actively participating in ET, coordinates the EU Horizon INFRA-DEV project for the ET preparatory phase, and has central responsibilities in the design of the stray light control systems. In addition, IFAE is deeply involved in the detector R&D and optical simulation activities of ET and CE. IFAE works with CERN in the design of the ET vacuum pipes.

The IFAE research program spans many topics in astrophysics and cosmology using LIGO-Virgo data. This includes searches for compact binary coalescence events and determining their mass/spin spectrum, for primordial black holes as candidates for dark matter, and for axion-like signals in continuous GW signals. We perform tests of exotic models for Gravity beyond General Relativity, and cosmological measurements using GWs such as Hubble constant and probes of inflation and phase transitions in the early universe. We are developing new data analysis methods like the use of deep learning and the use of robust statistics. This work is naturally extended to studying physics prospects for the next generation of detectors. IFAE is supported by its own PIC computing center, PIC, a Tier1 LHC center fully integrated into the LIGO/Virgo distributed computing network. IFAE is in a privileged position to analyze the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA data and, in collaboration with IFAE’s teams in CTA/MAGIC and Observational Cosmology, to fully profit from a multi-messenger approach.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will get involved in one of the group’s detector-related activities including LV data characterization, optical simulation studies, or the active monitoring of the stray light inside the LV optical cavities with new photo sensors in an ultra-high vacuum environment. You will also be deeply involved in the physics analysis of the LIGO-Virgo data, in one or more of the subjects described above. In addition, and within the framework of IFAE’s GW research activities, you will be offered significant networking opportunities, including extended stays of research in top-level international research centers in Europe and USA.

IFAE welcomes applications from outstanding candidates with experience in GW detector design and operations or/and in the physics analysis of the GW data. You will be expected to play a central role in one of the group’s detector-related activities and in the physics analysis of the LVK data and preparatory studies for the next generation experiments.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

• PhD in Gravitational Waves Physics;
• Internationally recognized experience in research using the LIGO-Virgo data;
• Good computing skills in Python and good communication skills in English;
• Proven experience in Gravitational Wave physics and related technologies.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• Research records and international visibility: 30 points;
• Computing and Technical Skills: 30 points;
• Experience in physics analysis: 30 points;
• Communication skills and teamwork: 10 points.

Offered contract

• Full-time contract (40 h/week);
• Duration: 2 years;
• Contract: Indefinido Actividades Científico Técnicas;
• The position will correspond to a postdoctoral researcher;
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range;
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first-hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day;
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection process

Candidates are required to have a PhD degree in GW Physics and an excellent CV. They should provide an expression of interest, a CV, and arrange for three letters of reference, sent by email to alundgren@ifae.es, mmp@ifae.es, and rrhh@ifae.es and including in the subject “2024-57_LIGO-Virgo_PostDoc”.

For further information please contact: Prof. Andrew Lundgren (alundgren@ifae.es) and Prof. Mario Martínez (mmp@ifae.es).

www.ifae.es

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labor market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with disabilities, are particularly encouraged to apply. In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.