PhD: Compact interferometric inertial sensing for gravitational-wave detector

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 the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six major Dutch universities and NWO-I Foundation, the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Among the research collaborations Nikhef participates in are the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo gravitational waves interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon-nT dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. There are also scientific groups on Theory, Physics Data Processing and Detector R&D. Nikhef avails over excellently equipped technical departments in mechanics, electronics and computing.

Where will you work?

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.

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

The position

This project is all about taking the best-performing sensing and control techniques and combine them into horizontal and vertical inertial sensor concepts that we will then take to the next level: a compact and most of all robust, extreme-performance sensor. This is to bring the latest research in sensors to their industrial applications. In our experience as sensor developers, we have seen it multiple times: a publication of a measurement using a new sensor that is ‘the next best thing’. However, we know that the researchers often had to tweak and babysit this sensor to squeeze out that nice result. The next day, they would have to re-calibrate and/or re-align it. The sensors developed in this project must work continuously in semiconductor manufacturing machines while they handle wafers, and gravitational-wave detectors while they collect signals from colliding black holes and neutron stars. No chance for tweaking and babysitting!

The CHiPS (Compact High-Precision Sensors) project is being carried out in a team of 3 PhD researchers, one at the gravitational-wave research group at the at Nikhef (this vacancy) and two at Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) department at the Delft University of Technology. It is funded under the the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN programme of NWO.

What are you going to do?

This vacancy is for four-year PhD researcher based at Nikhef. Your project will focus on the optical readout, where we opt for a homodyne quadrature interferometric readout. A more robust readout involves collaborating with this project’s opto-mechanics PhD researcher based at Delft University of Technology. This readout will be able to operate in both open-loop (also known as fringe counting) mode and closed-loop mode. The latter mode requires collaboration with the control design PhD researcher of this project, based at Delft University of Technology. As a part of your PhD research, you will visit our industrial and academic partners to learn about the challenges and constraints. You will study the problem in detail with the academic team and propose techniques, build setups and demonstration prototypes to solve these challenges. Together with us, you and your fellow team of 3 PhD researchers, will deliver CHiPS to ASML and Einstein Telescope!

Your profile

• a master’s degree in physics or a related field;
• affinity with building state of the art high-sensitivity equipment;
• capability of modelling and simulation in Python/C++/Matlab;
• proficient in English reading, writing, with good communication skills;
• the ability to work independently and collaborate with an interdisciplinary group;
• highly motivated and creative;
• skills in optics and/or mechanical instrumentation (desirable);
• experience in data acquisition and analysis (desirable).

We offer

• a salary of initially € 3.115,- and maximally € 3.989,- gross per month in the fourth year, for full-time employment;
• to work at an institute with state of the art facilities for your research;
• interaction with our industrial partners: ASML, Demcon, Settels Savenije Group of Companies, IBS Precision Engineering B.V. and IDE;
• a global network of vibration isolation and gravitational-wave researchers for you to engage with.

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

• 8,5 weeks holiday per year, for a full-time employment;
• birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• a pension at ABP pension fund;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad;
• to work at an institute with great facilities for your research;
• frequent interaction with our industrial partners;
• a global network of vibration isolation and gravitational-wave researchers for you to engage with.

How to apply?

While the deadline for application is Sunday 4 October 2026 23:59 CEST, the position can be filled earlier in case a good candidate is found. Applications must include a curriculum vitae, a personal motivation letter (max. one A4), the academic transcripts of university studies, and at least two references that could be contacted after the 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.