PhD position "Characterizing the very-low-frequency stochastic gravitational-wave background with pulsar-timing-array observations"

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

In 2015, the LIGO–Virgo collaboration achieved the first detection of high-frequency gravitational radiation, confirming Einstein’s 1916 results, and establishing the existence of binaries of stellar-mass black holes.

Project background

The next frontier – the observation of very-low-frequency gravitational waves – was reached in 2023 by pulsar-timing-array programs (NANOGrav and its international counterparts), which measure these waves by monitoring the regular emission of radio pulsars. In the mid 2030s, the space mission LISA will begin to observe thousands of low-frequency gravitational-wave sources, including ultracompact stellar-remnant binaries in the Milky Way, and the mergers of massive-black-hole binaries across cosmic time. The newly formed Gravitational Physics Research Group at ETH Zurich leads the implementation of the Swiss LISA Data Center, and participates in the science activities of the NANOGrav pulsar-timing consortium.

Job description

In this project, you will work within the Gravitational Physics group at ETH Zurich and contribute to the statistical formulation of pulsar-timing-array searches for gravitational waves; to the development of the Discovery analysis code; and to the analysis of current and future datasets. In 2023 the major pulsar-timing-array collaborations presented convincing evidence for the existence of a stochastic gravitational-wave background. Over the remainder of this decade, further observations will clarify the origin, spectral features, and multipolar structure of the background, and may also reveal the presence of nearby individual sources. You will investigate novel techniques to model the various sources of noise that affect pulsar-timing measurements, and work to understand how noise may bias the characterization of the background. You will gain mastery in Bayesian and frequentist statistics, and experiment with GPU computing and AI-based acceleration techniques. You will interact with researchers in the international pulsar-timing-array community, and in the ETH AI Center. Your results will help establish very-low-frequency gravitational-wave measurements as a new tool to understand the Universe.

Profile

• have a MSc degree in physics or similar discipline by the starting date
• enjoy theoretical physics, applied mathematics, and problem solving
• be a committed team player with good communication skills
• be proficient in spoken and written English
• have excellent computer and programming skills

Workplace

Workplace

We offer

We offer a dynamic, challenging role within an inspiring environment at a world-renowned university. Career development is central to our culture, and we are committed to supporting your professional growth. PhD students at ETH Zurich earn competitive salaries and are eligible for both social security and retirement benefits (the current annual gross salary starts at CHF 60’800 in the first year and goes up to CHF 67’500 in the third and fourth year). PhD positions are funded for four years. Funding for attending international conferences is available and potential publication costs will be covered.
ETH Zurich is regularly rated as the best university in continental Europe and Zurich itself is one of the most livable and attractive cities worldwide. Many people at ETH Zurich and within our research group have an international background. English is our common language.

We value diversity

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So are we.

Complete applications received by December 15, 2024 will receive full consideration. The position is open to candidates from all countries. The starting date is negotiable, and could be as soon as January 2025.

We look forward to receiving your application, as a single PDF, including:

• curriculum vitae
• a brief motivational statement of research interests and experience (1 page max)
• contact information for at least two referees
• MSc degree certificate (if already available)
• a list of all university courses taken and transcripts of grades obtained

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Questions regarding the position (but no applications) should be directed to Prof. Dr. Michele Vallisneri, e-mail: mvallisneri@ethz.ch.