PhD Researcher in Compact High-Precision Sensors for Science and Industry

The organization

Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in the Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 220 physicists and 75 technical staff work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together, they perform theoretical and experimental research in particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six Dutch universities and the NWO-I Foundation, the Institutes Organisation of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Nikhef participates in a wide range of international research collaborations, including the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the XENONnT dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina, the Virgo gravitational-wave detector in Pisa, and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. Nikhef also hosts research groups in Theory, Physics Data Processing and Detector R&D, supported by excellent technical departments in mechanics, electronics and computing.

Where will you work?

The Amsterdam gravitational-wave group has broad expertise in active seismic attenuation, inertial and position sensor development, interferometer simulation, computing, wavefrom modelling and data analysis. Gravitational-wave research within Nikhef is also conducted in Utrecht, with a focus on data analysis, and in Maastricht, which hosts the ETpathfinder research facility. Our group is part of the worldwide effort to advance gravitational-wave instrumentation and is closely connected to researchers and institutions across the international gravitational-wave community.

As part of this position, you will work at the interface of fundamental physics, precision instrumentation and industrial technology. You will have opportunities to collaborate with researchers and engineers both within Nikhef and across our international network.

Meet your prospective Nikhef supervisor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDiy-VbqB-c

The position

Many state-of-the-art sensors demonstrate exceptional performance in the laboratory, but achieving that performance can require careful manual optimisation, frequent recalibration or precise realignment. Such an approach is not sufficient for applications that require sensors to operate continuously and autonomously in demanding environments.

The CHiPS (Compact High-Precision Sensors) project aims to address this challenge by combining advanced sensing and control techniques into compact, robust and extremely high-performance inertial sensors. The goal is to move beyond laboratory demonstrations and develop sensors that can operate reliably for extended periods without manual intervention. The resulting technology will target applications ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.

The CHiPS project is being carried out by a team of three PhD researchers: one based in the gravitational-wave research group at Nikhef (this vacancy) and two based in the Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) department at Delft University of Technology. The three PhD projects address complementary aspects of the sensor:

• optical readout and interferometric sensing at Nikhef;
• optomechanical design at TU Delft; and
• sensing, control and feedback at TU Delft.

The project is funded through the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN programme of NWO and is carried out in collaboration with industrial and academic partners, including ASML.

What are you going to do?

This vacancy is for a four-year PhD position focusing on the development of the optical readout of the CHiPS sensor. Your research will centre on a homodyne quadrature interferometric readout, with the aim of combining high sensitivity with the robustness and stability required for continuous operation.

You will investigate and develop the interferometric sensing architecture through modelling, experimental development and characterisation. The readout will be designed to operate in both open-loop mode, using fringe counting, and closed-loop mode. Developing the closed-loop system will involve close collaboration with the control-design PhD researcher at TU Delft, while achieving a robust and compact sensor will require close interaction with the optomechanics PhD researcher.

An important part of your PhD will be to understand how a high-performance laboratory sensor can be transformed into a robust system capable of operating autonomously in realistic environments. This may involve developing techniques for calibration, alignment, signal processing and feedback, as well as investigating how the sensor behaves under realistic environmental disturbances.

As part of your research, you will visit our industrial and academic partners to understand their challenges and requirements. You will study these challenges together with the academic team, propose and investigate new approaches, and build experimental setups and demonstration prototypes to validate your ideas.

Together with your two fellow PhD researchers, you will develop and demonstrate the CHiPS technology for applications in semiconductor manufacturing and next-generation gravitational-wave detectors, working closely with industrial partners such as ASML and with the Einstein Telescope community.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative researcher who enjoys combining fundamental physics with hands-on experimental development. You have:

• a master's degree in physics, engineering or a related field;
• an affinity for building state-of-the-art, high-sensitivity experimental equipment;
• experience with modelling and simulation using Python, C++, MATLAB and/or similar tools;
• excellent written and spoken English and good communication skills;
• the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team;
• a highly motivated, curious and creative attitude;
• skills or experience in optics, interferometry and/or mechanical instrumentation (desirable);
• experience with data acquisition and analysis (desirable).

Experience in experimental physics, precision measurement, control, electronics or related areas is an advantage, but we also welcome candidates with a strong motivation to develop these skills.

We offer

• a gross monthly salary ranging from €3,115 in the first year to €3,989 in the fourth year, for full-time employment;
• the opportunity to work at an institute with state-of-the-art facilities for your research;
• direct interaction with industrial partners including ASML, Demcon, Settels Savenije Group of Companies, IBS Precision Engineering B.V. and IDE;
• a global network of researchers working on vibration isolation, precision instrumentation and gravitational-wave detection.

Besides the salary and a vibrant working environment at Amsterdam Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 8.5 weeks of holiday per year for full-time employment;
• birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• a pension through the ABP pension fund;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with finding housing, such as a studio or small apartment, when moving from abroad.

How to apply?

The deadline for applications is Sunday 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST. However, the position may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

Your application should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a personal motivation letter (maximum one A4);
• academic transcripts from your university studies; and
• at least two references who can be contacted after the application deadline.

Please apply by clicking the 'solliciteer' button below.

Any questions regarding this position can be directed to Joris van Heijningen (j.v.van.heijningen@vu.nl).

Applications via email will be ignored.