PhD Position (f/m/x) in Astronomical Instrumentation – Astrophotonics Wiss2307-12 | Astrophysics | Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
PhD Position (f/m/x) in Astronomical Instrumentation – Astrophotonics
Astrophysics

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Applications are invited for a doctoral student under supervision of Prof Lucas Labadie at the Institute for Astrophysics of the University of Cologne, Germany. The position is offered in the context of the renewal of the project NAIR (“novel astronomical instrumentation through photonic reformatting”), a collaboration of the University of Cologne, the Durham University in the UK and the Leibniz-Institute-for-Astrophysics-Potsdam. NAIR will enable significant progress in the deployment on-sky of innovative photonic-based solutions for long-baseline interferometry and integrated field spectroscopy, targeting primarily the near- and mid-infrared spectral range.

YOUR TASKS

• The doctoral student, mainly based at the at the Institute for Astrophysics in Cologne (formerly I. Physics Institute), will pursue a research project to develop, characterize and optimize so called discrete beam combiners (DBC) for astronomical interferometry. These integrated photonic devices will be manufactured by ultrafast laser writing (ULI) in close collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano/CNR in Italy. The major steps foreseen for this project are: the ULI fabrication of the devices during dedicated research stays at the Politecnico di Milano/CNR; the extended characterization of the devices at the astrophotonics lab at the University of Cologne using the existing infrared interferometric bench; the final on-sky test at the CHARA interferometric facility, California, in close collaboration with the AIP/Potsdam. The results will be published in peer-review journals and contribute to the PhD thesis.

YOUR PROFILE

• The applicant should have a Master of Science (MSc) in experimental physics, engineering or a related discipline. The candidate should be motivated by the fields of research associated with astronomical instrumentation, optics, photonics and lab demonstrators. A first experience with the technique of ultrafast laser writing is an asset. The working language is English.

WE OFFER

• The opportunity to work on a new topic in a highly international environment
• A diverse working environment with equal opportunities
• Support in balancing work and family life
• Extensive advanced training opportunities
• Occupational health management offers
• Flexible working time models
• Opportunity to work remotely

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Gender Equality Act of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome people with disabilities/ special needs or of equal status.

The position is available immediately on a part-time basis (25,89 hours per week). The offer is for a fixed-term position and an initial period of two years, with a possible renewal for one extra year. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary will be based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.
Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications (CV, educational degrees and transcripts, a brief statement of research interests and the e-mail addresses of two referees that can be contacted) without a photo under: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de. The reference number is Wiss2307-12. The application deadline is 20.08.2023. For further inquiries, please contact Prof Dr Lucas Labadie (labadie@ph1.uni-koeln.de).