This vacancy is for a four-year PhD position focusing on the development of the optical readout of the CHiPS sensor. Your research will centre on a homodyne quadrature interferometric readout, with the aim of combining high sensitivity with the robustness and stability required for continuous operation. You will investigate and develop the interferometric sensing architecture through modelling, experimental development and characterisation. The readout will be designed to operate in both open-loop mode, using fringe counting, and closed-loop mode. Developing the closed-loop system will involve close collaboration with the control-design PhD researcher at TU Delft, while achieving a robust and compact sensor will require close interaction with the optomechanics PhD researcher. The deadline for applications is Sunday 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
The position
Many state-of-the-art sensors demonstrate exceptional performance in the laboratory, but achieving that performance can require careful manual optimisation, frequent recalibration or precise realignment. Such an approach is not sufficient for applications that require sensors to operate continuously and autonomously in demanding environments.
The CHiPS (Compact High-Precision Sensors) project aims to address this challenge by combining advanced sensing and control techniques into compact, robust and extremely high-performance inertial sensors. The goal is to move beyond laboratory demonstrations and develop sensors that can operate reliably for extended periods without manual intervention. The resulting technology will target applications ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.
The CHiPS project is being carried out by a team of three PhD researchers: one based in the gravitational-wave research group at Nikhef (this vacancy) and two based in the Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) department at Delft University of Technology. The three PhD projects address complementary aspects of the sensor:
- optical readout and interferometric sensing at Nikhef;
- optomechanical design at TU Delft; and
- sensing, control and feedback at TU Delft.
The project is funded through the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN programme of NWO and is carried out in collaboration with industrial and academic partners, including ASML.
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