Postdoctoral scholarship holder low-noise readout electronics for next-generation gravitational wave detectors

Departement: Departement Fysica
Regime Voltijds

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The Particle Physics Research group at the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of low-noise readout electronics for next-generation gravitational wave detectors. The group is an active member of the Virgo, Einstein Telescope (ET), and ETpathfinder collaborations.

The Particle Physics group is an active member of the Virgo, Einstein Telescope (ET), and ETpathfinder collaborations.

Position

You will join the 2 μm Light Sources and Photon Detection Sensors research within the group, in close collaboration with the optics laboratory at Ghent University (UGent). 
Whereas all current gravitational wave detectors operate at 1064 nm, ET and ETpathfinder will use new wavelengths — 1550 nm and 2090 nm — required to operate cryogenic monocrystalline silicon test masses at their minimum optical Commercial photodetectors and front-end electronics are widely   available for 1064 nm and 1550 nm, but 2090 nm is unconventional and demands new sensors with quantified photon detection efficiency, dark current, vacuum compatibility, and front-end heat dissipation.

You will lead the development of the front-end readout electronics for these new 2 μm photodetectors at UAntwerp: building on existing 1550 nm sensor designs, investigating low-noise and low-heat amplifier and digitizer architectures, performing state-of-the-art front-end simulations, and producing optimized readout PCBs for testing in the 2 μm optics setup at UGent. 
The integrated readout system must be compatible with the existing ETpathfinder back-end DAQ infrastructure, which is already operational in the UAntwerp lab. The work will contribute directly to the ETpathfinder programme and is expected to inform the initial photodetector readout design for ET.

You will conduct research and publish your results to disseminate scientific insights.

You will work in close coordination with a photonics engineer postdoc at UGent on the joint characterization of the optical and electronic components.

You will contribute to ETpathfinder service and integration activities.

You will build and maintain international scientific contacts.

You will contribute to the supervision of Master's and Bachelor's thesis projects, and PhD students.

In addition to project-based research, you will contribute to ETpathfinder service and integration activities.

The position is based in Antwerp, with funding available for travel to UGent, ETpathfinder (Maastricht, NL), and collaboration meetings.

Profile

You hold a PhD electronics engineering, applied physics, photonics, or a closely related field by the start date and you have not resided or carried out any primary activity in Belgium for at least 12 months in the past 3 years.

You have a strong interest and background in analog and mixed-signal electronics design, low-noise amplification, front-end readout for photodetectors, and/or precision instrumentation for experimental physics.

Your demonstrated experience with PCB design and prototyping, electronic simulation tools (e.g. SPICE, ADS), photodetector characterization, or FPGA/DAQ integration is an advantage.

You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

You have a good knowledge of English, both oral and written.

You are able to work both independently and within a large international collaborations.

Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.

Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.

You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 2 years.

We offer the opportunity to take part in research-related activities within the scope of your work, as well as the opportunity to further develop yourself through training and education.

The planned start date is 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.

Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).

You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.

You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.

Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 30 July 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:  

a motivation letter

your academic CV, including a list of publications

a research statement (maximum two pages) describing past achievements in gravitational wave instrumentation and planned contributions, with emphasis on low-noise readout electronics and photodetector front-end design for gravitational wave detectors

the names and contact details of two referees, who should arrange for letters of recommendation to be sent separately

 

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.

If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to Voir email sur uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Nick van Remortel
Particle Physics Group
University of Antwerp 

Voir email sur uantwerpen.be

Letters of Reference should be sent to:nick.Voir email sur uantwerpen.be

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