Postdoctoral Researcher SRF Cavity Control for Axion and Gravitational Wave Searches in Hamburg

For our location in Hamburg we are seeking:

Postdoctoral Researcher SRF Cavity Control for Axion and Gravitational Wave Searches

Limited: 2 years | Starting date: earliest possible | ID: FHPO012/2026 | Deadline: open | Full-time/Part-time

DESY, with more than 2900 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world's leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.

The Cluster of Excellence "Quantum Universe" performs research to understand mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology. The research team includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at the University of Hamburg and DESY. The research program aims at detecting high-frequency gravitational waves and dark matter axions using superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities. Building on an existing prototype (MAGO), the project exploits the extreme quality factors of superconducting cavities to search for gravitational waves and axions in the kHz-MHz frequency range, a band largely unexplored by current detectors. The work spans theoretical modeling and experimental development, with low-level RF (LLRF) instrumentation as a key enabling technology throughout.

One of the central technical challenges is developing a dedicated LLRF control system capable of resolving extremely small, weak-coupling signals. The signal shows up only as a minute frequency or amplitude perturbation buried in cavity noise, hence the system must deliver exceptional phase and amplitude stability, fast and precise field detection, and robust suppression of microphonics and other environmental noise, well beyond what standard accelerator LLRF systems require.

About your role:

• Continue to develop and set up the unique LLRF system for the project
• Further develop carrier suppression interferometer (CSl)-based techniques and their integration to the LLRF system
• Conduct own research and supervise students on cryogenic low noise RF components such as oscillators, multipliers, mixers, filters, switches, amplifiers, attenuators, and phase shifters
• Carry out electronic designs, prototype developments, system characterization, and concept evaluation

Good reasons to join:

Look forward to a unique working environment on our international research campus. Respectful cooperation and the well-being of our DESY employees are particularly important to us. Gender equality is an important aspect for us. To support work life balance we offer flexible working hours, variable part-time, job-sharing models and participation in mobile work (up to 50%). You will benefit from our family-friendly and collegial atmosphere, our established health management and occupational pension provision. As a public funded employer, we offer you a secure workplace and facilitate your individual career with our comprehensive training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to the regulations of the TV-AVH. DESY offers its employees a financial supplement for a German job ticket (Deutschland-Ticket) at both locations.

About you:

• PhD in electrical engineering (or equivalent specialist knowledge and experience), with several years of experience designing, building, and modelling low-noise RF electronics in the MHz-GHz range
• Professional experience in the field of analogue and digital electronics in the low-and-high-frequency range
• Experience with modern RF measuring devices, CAD Software (e.g., Altium Designer), and RF modelling tools (HFSS, GST, ADS etc.)
• Familiarity with the theory of SRF cavities, interest in particle physics experiments would be advantageous

For further information please contact Krisztian Peters at krisztian.peters@desy.de or +49 40 8998-3740.

DESY promotes equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. We therefore welcome applications from people of all dimensions of diversity. The professional development of women is very important to us and therefore we strongly encourage women to apply for the vacant position. Applications from severely disabled persons and those with equivalent status will be given preference if they are equally qualified (sbv.desy.de).

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