The project I000725N “ET-TECH: Empowering Tomorrow's Technological Horizons for Einstein Telescope” is funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and involves cooperation between KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, UGent, University of Hasselt, VUB, and VITO.
This initiative supports European plans to build the Einstein Telescope, a third-generation gravitational wave detector based on laser interferometry. One of the potential sites for this underground facility is the Euregion Meuse-Rhine, featuring a triangular layout with 10 km long tunnels at a depth of approximately 250 m. Effective operation of the Einstein Telescope requires precise control of vibration originating from external and internal sources. While passive and (semi-)active isolation systems can mitigate most of these vibrations, Newtonian noise - caused by seismic waves inducing density fluctuations - cannot be directly shielded and must be compensated through advanced modelling and analysis.
The ET-TECH project started on 1 January 2025 and has a duration of 4 years; funding for 12 months is presently available, while budget for the full duration of the project is reserved.
Research in the Structural Mechanics Section (www.kuleuven.be/bwm) of the Department of Civil Engineering focuses on the static and dynamic analysis of structures. Five related research lines are developed: vibration in the built environment, structural monitoring, building acoustics, computational structural engineering, and human-induced vibration.
The Department of Civil Engineering is nicely located in the park of the Arenberg Castle in Heverlee, one kilometre from Leuven’s city center.
Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is currently the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure, and a charter member of LERU. KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. KU Leuven is ranked as 12th European university in the Times Higher Education ranking and as first European university in Reuters Top 100 of the world’s most innovative universities, for several consecutive years.
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Responsibilities
As a post-doctoral researcher at the Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven, you will play a key role in quantifying seismic and Newtonian noise caused by various external vibration sources (road and railway traffic, wind turbines, industry, construction activities, quarries, earthquakes).
You will employ state-of-the-art numerical prediction models, combining finite or spectral elements with boundary elements or perfectly matched layers, alongside in situ measurements. These models will incorporate source characteristics, geological conditions, topography, and the geometry of underground caverns. As more detailed soil models become available, they will be integrated into your analyses.
Within the first year of the project, you will focus on the following aspects:
· Analysis of available vibration data collected in boreholes and on the surface during an area-wide vibration monitoring campaign.
· Vibration monitoring on and near a wind turbine.
· Modelling of free field vibration due to wind turbines and assessment of vibration mitigation measures.
· Computation of the seismic wave field and Newtonian noise due to different sources of vibration.
You will work in close collaboration with partners presently involved in the Einstein Telescope Preparatory Phase (ET-PP) project funded under the Horizon Europe program (WP4 Site Preparation and WP5 Project Office and Engineering Department), and in the Work Package on Newtonian Noise (WP-NN) of the Active Noise Mitigation group of the ET Instrument Science Board (ISB-ANM).
Profile
We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher holding a PhD degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or Geophysics, with a solid and proven background in the following subjects: structural dynamics, elastic wave propagation, computational mechanics, in situ vibration measurements.
Experience with the development and validation of numerical prediction models for vibration in the built environment is highly welcomed.
Interested candidates should be able to start as soon as possible as from 1 May 2025 and preferably no later than 1 July 2025.
Offer
We offer a contract with a finite duration of 12 months and a competitive salary of about 3025 EUR (estimated minimum) per month net, depending on your marital status.
There is a high probability that we will be able to extend this contract until the end of 2028.
We offer an excellent and international research environment. The promoters, prof. Geert Degrande and prof. Stijn François, have a proven track record in the domain and a lot of experience with supervising PhD students and post-doctoral researchers
Interested?
Interested candidates are invited to email their application file (in a single pdf file) before 21 April 2025 to prof. Geert Degrande ([email protected]), containing the following information: (1) motivation letter, (2) curriculum vitae (including date of birth, hobbies, interests, engagement as a student,…) (3) list of publications with doi (please do not add these publications), (4) transcript of records (BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees), (5) copy of diplomas (BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees), (6) proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL or IETLS certificate or equivalent proof), and (7) contact details of three persons who can provide a reference on our request (so please do not include reference letters, only provide contact details).
We request a TOEFL ibt total score of 94, with no section scores below 22, or an IELTS overall band score of 7.0, with no band scores below 6.5.
Pre-selected candidates will be invited for an online interview.
Shortlisting and final selection will be based on scientific background, merit and potential, with due consideration given to gender equality and minority rights. The scientific merit of the candidates not only considers course grades, but also evidence of team work, interdisciplinary knowledge, creativity, independent working, transferable skills, and public engagement. The promotion of equal opportunities and gender balance will be a key recruitment strategy. Among equally qualified applicants, women receive preferential consideration as part of the special efforts to increase female participation in the field.
The deadline of 21 April 2025 might be extended if required.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Geert Degrande, tel.: +32 16 32 16 67, mail:
[email protected] or Prof. dr. ir. Stijn François, tel.: +32 16 37 35 83, mail:
[email protected].
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