PhD position in instrument development for THz astronomy

The Astrophysics Institute (former I. Physikalisches Institut), Universität zu Köln, builds and operates state-of-the-art instrumentation in submm/THz astronomy. As part of the CRC 956 “Conditions and Impact of Star Formation”, the detector/microstructure lab engages in instrumentation for the CCAT-prime telescope, in particular towards a mid-resolution spectroscopic camera.

As part of your PhD activity you will assess the status of the development of super- conducting power detectors and relevant astronomical instrumentation, participate in the development and design of a new instrument (spectroscopic camera) for CCAT and fabricate a prototype of the instrument, test and evaluate its performance

We expect that you have a university degree (diploma or MSc) in physics or electrical engineering; that you are genuinely interested in the physics of high sensitivity detectors and related technologies; and that you have experience in laboratory work and experiments, in particular in superconductivity and/or microstructuring fabrication and cryogenic measurements and/or microwave design.

The position is available immediately. It is initially limited to two years, extension possible. The salary is based on the German public sector scheme for PhD positions (TV-L 13, salary scale 50% to 75%, ramping up in time during the PhD, based on qualification and progress). The University of Cologne is committed to Equal Opportunities and Diversity regulations. Women are expressly encouraged to apply and given priority in accordance with the Equal Opportuni-ties Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with special needs or of equal status.

Apply for the jobs via https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de/bewerben/399