Postdoctoral Scholarship in Physics (University of Antwerp)

Regime: Full-time Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 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 gravitational wave instrumentation, with a focus on a novel calibration technique for Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2 (O5). The Particle Physics group of the University of Antwerp is an active member of the Virgo, Einstein Telescope (ET), and ETpathfinder collaborations. Position You will further develop, install, and commission a new and independent calibration method that uses back-scattered light from the end benches to inject periodic phase differences in the interferometer without actively moving the mirrors. Precise calibration of the interferometer strain h(t) is essential to exploit the full sensitivity of Virgo and ET. The technique provides an independent cross-check of the existing photon-calibrator-based reconstruction with different systematic uncertainties, gives access to higher-frequency calibration (1.5–2.0 kHz), and is expected to contribute to an improved absolute detector calibration. Its implementation is an Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2 upgrade deliverable, coordinated by the PI, and the first upgrade project coordinated by Belgian institutes (BelGrav group: UAntwerpen, UGent, VUB). You will contribute to the hardware development of the scattering system, to the thermal and ultra-high-vacuum compatibility characterization of the scattering components, and to subsequent installation, commissioning, and performance measurements at the Virgo observatory. You are expected to co-lead the project with the PI and work closely with a PhD student at UGent. You will contribute to Virgo commissioning and service activities in line with Virgo authorship requirements. You will build and maintain international scientific contacts. You will contribute to the supervision of Master's and Bachelor's thesis projects. The position is based in Antwerp, with time foreseen on-site at the Virgo observatory (EGO/Cascina, Italy) during installation and commissioning campaigns. Funding is available for travel to Virgo, collaboration meetings, and partner institutes. Profile You hold a PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics, 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 experimental gravitational wave physics, precision optical measurement, laser interferometry, and/or detector calibration techniques. Your demonstrated experience with optical alignment and characterization, scattered-light modelling, photodiode readout, signal processing for calibration, or on-site commissioning of large-scale experimental apparatus 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. What we offer We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 2 years. 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 jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact: Prof. Dr. Hans Van Haevermaet Particle Physics Group University of Antwerp Email: hans.vanhaevermaet@uantwerpen.be Letters of Reference should be sent to: hans.vanhaevermaet@uantwerpen.be The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Regime: Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

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 gravitational wave instrumentation, with a focus on a novel calibration technique for Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2 (O5).

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

Position

You will further develop, install, and commission a new and independent calibration method that uses back-scattered light from the end benches to inject periodic phase differences in the interferometer without actively moving the mirrors.
Precise calibration of the interferometer strain h(t) is essential to exploit the full sensitivity of Virgo and ET. The technique provides an independent cross-check of the existing photon-calibrator-based reconstruction with different systematic uncertainties, gives access to higher-frequency calibration (1.5–2.0 kHz), and is expected to contribute to an improved absolute detector calibration. Its implementation is an Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2 upgrade deliverable, coordinated by the PI, and the first upgrade project coordinated by Belgian institutes (BelGrav group: UAntwerpen, UGent, VUB).
You will contribute to the hardware development of the scattering system, to the thermal and ultra-high-vacuum compatibility characterization of the scattering components, and to subsequent installation, commissioning, and performance measurements at the Virgo observatory.
You are expected to co-lead the project with the PI and work closely with a PhD student at UGent.
You will contribute to Virgo commissioning and service activities in line with Virgo authorship requirements.
You will build and maintain international scientific contacts.
You will contribute to the supervision of Master's and Bachelor's thesis projects.
The position is based in Antwerp, with time foreseen on-site at the Virgo observatory (EGO/Cascina, Italy) during installation and commissioning campaigns. Funding is available for travel to Virgo, collaboration meetings, and partner institutes.

Profile

You hold a PhD in gravitational wave instrumentation physics, 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 experimental gravitational wave physics, precision optical measurement, laser interferometry, and/or detector calibration techniques.
Your demonstrated experience with optical alignment and characterization, scattered-light modelling, photodiode readout, signal processing for calibration, or on-site commissioning of large-scale experimental apparatus 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.

What we offer

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

If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Hans Van Haevermaet
Particle Physics Group
University of Antwerp
Email: hans.vanhaevermaet@uantwerpen.be

Letters of Reference should be sent to:
hans.vanhaevermaet@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Apply

All Jobs