Design consolidation, performance analysis, and experimental verification of the LISA free-falling test mass system

Position: Post-doctoral research contract Institute: Uni. Trento
Posted on: 27/01/2026 Deadline: 18/02/2026

Scientific-Disciplinary Group

02/PHYS-01 - Experimental Physics Of Fundamental Interactions And Applications

Description

The proposed research aims at the experimental consolidation and verification of the system of free-falling test masses for the LISA gravitational wave observatory. The free-fall performance of this system, at the femto-m/s^2 level, is the key to the low frequency sensitivity of the observatory and thus the scientific return for super massive black hole mergers when LISA launches in 2035. The researchers will be expected to lead analyses and measurement campaigns that will verify the GRS and address the remaining small force challenges and mysteries remaining after the LISA Pathfinder test mission, including dissipation and transient forces from molecular collisions; stray electrostatic fields between gold coated surfaces in vacuum and mitigation of electrostatic forces; femtoNewton fluctuations in nanoNewton electrostatic actuators...

Number of positions

3

Funding body

Università degli Studi di Trento