Research Associate Position in Gravitational Wave Physics

Research Associate Position in Gravitational Wave Physics at IFAE

The "Institut de Física d'Altes Energies" (IFAE) in Barcelona welcomes applications for a two-years research position in Gravitational Waves (GWs) Physics.

Candidates are required to have a PhD degree on GW Physics and an excellent CV.

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 interferometer. For the latter, IFAE is leading the construction of new baffles instrumented with photo sensors around the test masses.

IFAE is actively participating in the Einstein Telescope, coordinates the EU Horizon INFRA-DEV project for the Einstein Telescope preparatory phase, and has central responsibilities in the design of the stray light control systems.

In the physics analysis front, the IFAE research program, using LVK data, includes topics related to: compact binary coalescence and their mass/spin spectrum determination using AI; search for primordial black holes as candidates for dark matter; searches for axion-like signals in GWs; Test of exotic models for Gravity beyond General Relativity; determination of the universe expansion rate using GWs; and using GWs as probes for inflation and phase transitions in the early universe. Some of the activities are performed in close coordination with IFAE’s theory division.

IFAE is supported by its own PIC computing center, 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.

IFAE welcomes applications from candidates with experience on the GW detector design and operations or/and on the physics analysis of the GW data. The successful candidate will get involved in several of IFAE’s GW group activities including optical simulation studies, and R&D on active monitoring of the stray light inside the optical cavities.

She/he will be expected to play a central role in the physics analysis of the LVK data, with special emphasis on the tests of General Relativity and Cosmology using GWs.

Interested candidates should provide a CV, full university records, and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent by email to Prof. Mario Martínez Pérez - mmp@ifae.es .

Application deadline is 15th September 2024.

For further information please contact

Prof. Mario Martínez Pérez ( mmp@ifae.es )

Head of IFAE’s GW Group

www.ifae.es

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Sending CVs to the above address implies consent to the legal warning at the bottom of IFAE’s Home Page.