Research Associate for the Project “Digital readout and control of passive ring laser gyroscopes and scattered light suppression” in the research unit RING: Rotations in Physics, Geophysics, and Geodesy § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, Institute of Experimental Physics

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: as soon as possible, fixed for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2026-05-13

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 75 % of standard work hours per week

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

The position is part of the project “Transportable high-performance rotation sensors” and belongs to the research unit “RING: Rotations IN Physics, Geophysics, and Geodesy”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The RING research unit aims at establishing next-generation ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) as key instruments for geodesy, physics and geophysics, enabling high-precision measurements of Earth’s rotation on both global and local scales, including seismic rotation sensing, while also pushing the limits of optical precision measurements.

Within the project “Transportable high-performance rotation sensors” we are developing the next generation of portable, high-sensitivity, low-noise RLGs together with our project partners at the Helmut-Schmidt University, The University of Bonn and Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. The research of this position focuses on developing the digital, FPGA-based realtime readout and control of passive RLGs and on testing methods to reduce scattered light coupling.

Responsibilities include to develop FPGA-based signal processing for active laser control, the development of opto-electronic readout and control schemes, the testing of such control schemes with in-house experiments, the integration of a full control system into a transportable RLG prototype, supporting measurement campaigns of the RLG prototype, including campaigns using the in-house isolation facility VATIGrav, and testing the suppression of scattered light in RLGs using the tunable coherence interferometry technique.

The position will be situated in the research group for gravitational wave detection at the University of Hamburg. The group studies metrology and develops instrumentation for ground and space-based detectors like the Einstein Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) with a focus on laser interferometry, inertial sensing, seismic isolation and digital readout and control.

The successful candidate for this position can pursue a doctoral degree in Physics at the University of Hamburg.

The successful candidate can become members of the Quantum Universe Research School (QURS), which provides academic and soft skills training, as well as career planning support. They will join the RING research unit and can also join the LIGO collaboration and/or the Einstein Telescope collaboration and attend international conferences.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

The following skills are mandatory:

• excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate and engage in an international team environment
• experience in optics and laser interferometry
• experience in digital signal processing
• experience in FPGA programming or extensive other programming skills

Prior experience in several of the following fields is beneficial:

Experience with ring laser gyroscopes, laser interferometer noise analysis, laboratory work, hardware development, analog and digital electronics, scattered light, hardware testing, laser stabilization and precision measurements.

Outstanding candidates will bring a high, intrinsic motivation, individual responsibility, creative scientific thinking and extensive social and team skills.

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia, and encourages qualified female academics to apply. Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Oliver Gerberding

Location

Luruper Chaussee 149
22761 Hamburg

Reference number

102

Application deadline

2026-05-13

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.