LISA ground support equipment phasemeter

The research group for gravitational wave detection of the Quantum Universe Cluster of Excellence in Hamburg studies metrology and develops instrumentation for ground and space-based detectors like the Einstein Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna with a focus on laser interferometry, inertial sensing and digital readout and control. The group is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe” which includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at Universität Hamburg and DESY.

The successful candidate for this position will participate in the development of an electrical ground-support equipment version of the LISA phasemeter, based on the MicroTCA.4 standard. The project is funded by the German Aerospace Agency (DLR) and the phasemeter development is conducted in close collaboration with local partners, DESY MSK and the DESY Technology Lab, and in collaboration and coordination with the LISA Consortium, the LISA Instrument Group and specifically partners developing the LISA phasemeter flight-hardware.

The successful candidate is expected to design, implement and extend the interferometer readout and control algorithms by programming FPGAs, CPUs and SoCs and is expected to conduct electrical testing of phasemeter functions and performance. Additionally the candidate is expected to participate in system engineering both for the phasemeter and the overall LISA instrument and the candidate will also participate in the development and testing of optical ground support equipment conducted as part of the project by a PhD student.

Postdoctoral research associates will join the LISA consortium and have the opportunity to attend international conferences and advanced training. They will also become members of the Quantum Universe Research School (QURS), which provides academic and soft skills training, as well as career planning support. Postdoctoral research associates may participate in the supervision of doctoral students and in the organization of the Cluster via an early career council.