Optics Physicist
Application Deadline: 8 July 2025
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General information
Offer title: Optics Physicist
Reference: TEC-O&C-25-4
Number of positions: 1
Workplace: via E.Amaldi 5/7, Loc. S.Stefano a Macerata – Cascina (Pisa)
Date of publication: 9 June 2025
Type of Contract: “Tecnologo” (Technologist)
Contract Period: permanent contract subject to a probation period of 6 months
Expected date of employment: The earliest possible
Proportion of work: Full time
Remuneration: 45.645,60 annual gross (Liv.IIIa Fascia 0)
Desired level of education: Master’s degree in Physics or engineer in topics related to the position
Experience required: Experience in optical system; Knowledge in laser physics and related equipment.
Sections: Optics & Controls Department
Missions
The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) is seeking a Optics Physicist to join its Optics & Controls Department.
Activities
The selected candidate will work in the EGO Optics team which is the point of reference for all questions related to the Optics of the interferometer and related issues.
The candidate will collaborate with the EGO team for the second phase of upgrades of the Virgo interferometer (Advanced Virgo+), aimed at pushing the sensitivity of the detector to overcome the current limit. He will participate in the design of the next generation of gravitational wave detectors and in the development of R&D.
In particular, she/he will work mainly on:
- Conception and commissioning of the injection subsystem of Advanced Virgo+;
- Provide optical simulations and design for the Advanced Virgo Phase II upgrade;
- Design, setup and maintain optical cavities with the required controls;
- Study, measure and mitigate scattered light from optical components;
- R&D required for the current and next-generation detectors (VirgoNext).
Essential skills
- Master’s degree in Physics or engineer in topics related to the position;
- Knowledge in laser physics and related equipment;
- Experience in optical system;
- Good knowledge of English;
- No criminal convictions.
Other skills
One or more of the following will be an asset:
- PhD in experimental optics or equivalent experience with experimental optics;
- Experimental experience in electro-optic and/or magneto-optic components;
- Experience in optical cavity design, set-up and control;
- Experience in high power CW laser and in stray light measurement and mitigation;
- Experience in stray light measurement and mitigation;
- Experience in Optical simulation (Zemax, Fred, optocad);
- Basic knowledge in analog electronics;
- Knowledge of Italian and/or French;
- Problem-solving oriented attitude, ability to work in a team, and a proactive, collaborative approach to work.
- Capacity to communicate efficiently with colleagues from different countries and a good sense of team spirit.
Work Context
The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) is seeking a Technologist to join the Optics & Controls Department.
EGO is an international consortium, founded by INFN and CNRS to foster European collaboration in gravitational-wave research. EGO is located in Cascina, near Pisa – Italy, and hosts and operates the gravitational-wave detector Virgo, a 3 km-long laser interferometer (ITF). The Virgo project involves the participation of about 130 institutions with more than 800 scientists, engineers and technicians from France, Italy, the Netherlands and other 13 European countries.
EGO welcomes applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, color, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Selection procedure
Only candidates who meet the above essential required qualifications and experience are admitted to the selection procedure. The evaluation of the candidates admitted to the procedure is assigned to a Selection Board appointed by the Director of EGO. The Selection Board will determine the evaluation criteria in the first meeting. The first phase of the selection will be based on a review of the Application Forms and other documents received in line with the above-mentioned essential and desired requirements. Only candidates who have obtained the minimum score established by the Selection Board in the first meeting will be able to access to the second phase of the selection, which will consist of an interview. During the interview the Selection Board will verify the knowledge of the English language, the knowledge in laser physics and related equipment, experience in optical system.
At the end of the interviews the Selection Board will draw up a ranking of the candidates who obtained at least the minimum score established during the first meeting.
The completion of the hiring is subject to Italian law D.Lgs. 81/08 art.41 “Sorveglianza Sanitaria”.
The EGO Consortium has the free right not to proceed with the recruitment.
Privacy policy
Controller: European Gravitational Observatory – email: ego-gw@pec.it
Responsible for data – email: privacy@ego-gw.it
Under Article 13 of UE Regulation (EU) 2016/79 of the European Parliament and of the Council, required personal data will be exclusively collected and treated for purposes strictly connected to the selection procedure also with the use of computerized procedures, according to current law and regulations concerning the implementation of this kind of activity.
Providing such data to EGO is necessary for the evaluation of participation requirements and of the holding of titles; failure to provide these data may compromise such evaluation.
Data will be kept only for the period required by the selection, evaluation and audit procedures.
EGO guarantees each person the right of access to personal data, as well as the rectification, or erasure or restriction of them, as well as the right to object to their processing; such requests shall be addressed to privacy@ego-gw.it.
Applicants have to:
Candidates can send their CV and the EGO Application Form (to be found here) together with a cover letter and eventual reference letters, to jobs@ego-gw.it quoting the reference number of this vacancy notice.
Constraints and risks
None
The Director
Prof. Massimo Carpinelli