Vacancies for Academic Staff
On this page you will find vacancies for Academic Staff. Only vacancies in English are shown. For a complete list of all vacancies currently open at the university, please consult the vacancy pages in Dutch.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Save your search and create a job alert on the online application module to be automatically notified of interesting future job openings.More information can be found here.
Department: Department of Physics
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 seismic isolation and suspension commissioning for Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2.
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 join the group's research on sensors & actuators, seismic attenuation and controls, by contributing to the construction and commissioning of new compact seismic isolation systems for Advanced Virgo+ Phase 2.
A major upgrade planned for the O5 observing run is the installation of short stable recycling cavities, which requires significant modifications of the existing vacuum and seismic isolation systems. The optics and benches will be suspended through new compact seismic isolation systems based on the Advanced Virgo Multi-SAS and ETpathfinder designs. - You will work closely with the international suspension teams within the Virgo collaboration on the construction and on-site commissioning of these prototype systems, co-develop improved suspension control schemes, and build hands-on expertise in suspension commissioning in preparation for an actual observation run.
The work connects directly to parallel activities at UAntwerp on LVDT sensor development and a MIGA-based local suspension platform, providing an opportunity to feed control- and sensor-level improvements developed in-house into Virgo and to bring operational suspension experience back to ETpathfinder. - You are expected to co-lead the UAntwerp contributions in collaboration with the PI, including mentoring and supervision of a PhD student and of Master's and Bachelor's thesis projects.
- You will contribute to Virgo commissioning and service activities in line with Virgo authorship requirements .
- You will build and maintain international scientific contacts.
- 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 seismic isolation or suspension design, active feedback control, and/or experimental gravitational wave physics.
- You demonstrated experience with mechanical design and assembly, vacuum-compatible hardware, low-noise sensors and actuators, feedback control implementation, or on-site commissioning of large 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.