Open Position Technical Research Position for Gravitational Wave Physics group within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – Next Generation

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main goal is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to UAB and its premises are within the campus of the university.

About the Gravitational Wave Physics group

IFAE is a member institution of the Virgo and Einstein Telescope Collaborations. A group of researches from IFAE has taken significant responsibilities related to the control of the stray light inside Virgo, which is considered a limiting factor for its sensitivity. The group plays an important role in the ongoing 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 for Advanced Virgo. In addition, IFAE is deeply involved in the detector R&D and simulation activities of the future Einstein Telescope, and is a member of the ETpathfinder R&D platform.

In the physics analysis front, the IFAE research program, using LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA data, includes topics related to: compact binary coalescence and their mass/spin spectrum determination; search for primordial black holes as candidates for dark matter; searches for axion-like signals in continuous GW signals; 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. IFAE is in a privileged position to analyze the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA data, with strong synergies with IFAE’s Theory Division and significant computing resources from the PIC computing center. In addition, the collaboration with IFAE’s teams in CTA/MAGIC and Observational Cosmology facilitates a multi-messenger approach.

Required skills

Candidate are expected to have:

• A master’s degree in physics on the date of the contract start
• Fluent English skills
• Experience on the analysis of LIGO/Virgo data
• Familiarity with software tools used in the field

What will be your role

The candidate will be involved in physics analysis of the LIGO/Virgo data related to the search for continuous and stochastic signals as well as tests or General Relativity and searches for dark matter and axion-like clouds, where she/he is expected to play a central role. This would be complemented with detector-oriented studies at Virgo, related to AdV+ and also relevant for the new generation Einstein Telescope.

The time estimated to fulfill the tasks is about two years and they are part the action line 3 (Gravitational waves experiments and multi-messenger astronomy) of the project Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universewill carry out a PhD thesis focused on Cosmology studies and tests of General Relativity using the binary events from LIGO/Virgo O3 and O4 observation periods. Both projects would include aspects related to the determination of the parameters of the identified binary events. This would be complemented with detector-oriented studies at Virgo, related to AdV+ and also relevant for the new generation Einstein Telescope experiment.

The time estimated to fulfil the tasks is about two years and they are part the action line 3 (Gravitational waves experiments and multi-messenger astronomy) of the project Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe.

Offered contract:

A Full-time (40h/week) Technical Research position. The duration of the contract is linked to the project “Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics”, within the frame of the R+D+I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government. There will be a trial period of 6 months. Flexible schedule. Work with interesting science experimental projects (scientific instrumentation, detectors, satellite systems, telescope systems, small experiments). Traveling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.

Gross salary will be within the range of 17.000 € and can be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to jobs@ifae.es stating the job reference (IFAE-PCL3-03) as the Subject of the message. The mail should include a cover letter and an updated CV. Sending CVs to the above address implies consent to the legal warning at the bottom of IFAE’s Home Page.

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.

You may contact jobs@ifae.es for any questions related to this job opening. Deadline: 12/12/2022

A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on-line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process.

In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.

Funding Statement

This position is part of the project Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics, within the frame of the R+D+I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government that are part component 17 of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. This contract is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (MICINN/PRTR funds).