Post-doctoral position in Gravitational Wave Physics at IFAE

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 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).

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.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

• PhD on Gravitational Waves Physics
• Internationally recognized experience on 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 on physics analysis: 30 points
• Communication skills and team work: 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 including in the subject “2024-57_LIGO-Virgo_PostDoc”.

For further information please contact: Prof. Andrew Lundgren (alundgren@ifae.es) or Prof. Mario Martínez (mmp@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, particularly from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability.