About this position
A German consortium aims for performing foundational experiments on relativistic geodesy using optical lattice clocks and ground-to-satellite time transfer links to the ISS.
The project task consists in comparing a strontium lattice clock at PTB Braunschweig with a strontium lattice clock at Geodätische Fundamentalstation Wettzell (GOW, Wettzell, Germany). The comparison will be performed during the mission ACES on the ISS. This mission was launched in 2025 and is operational.
High-performance optical free-space ground-space-ground, microwave ground-space-ground, and fiber links will be used for this purpose. In particular, free-space ground-space-ground optical links will be implemented betweeen the laser ranging station in GOW and the ACES payload and, simultaneously, between ACES and a similar ranging station in Potsdam. These two-way pulsed laser time-transfer links will be unique worldwide, as there are currently no other ground stations providing the necessary infrastructure capable of high accuracy.
We aim for achieving comparisons of remote clocks with a fractional uncertainty of 1E-17 in time interval measurements.
This position refers to improving an existant optical lattice clock, called "SOC2", then transferring it to Wettzell, operating it there, performing measurement campaings during the ACES mission, analyzing and interpreting data. The SOC2 clock is a modular, transportable lattice optical clock based on strontium. It is currently located at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
Currently, the SOC2 team consists of one post-doc, two Ph.D. students, plus technical support.
The work will be performed initially at Universität Düsseldorf and subsequently at GOW (Bavaria).
The work will occur in the framework of an interdisciplinary research consortium comprising 10 groups, most of them in geodesy (measurements and data analysis). The position holder therefore has opportunity to learn about this subject.
Apart from contributing to seminal experiments, the position gives the person the possiblity to develop his/her management skills, towards a career in academia or in a research organisation (if desired).
We are seeking a highly motivated person to make crucial contributions to the above work and accomplish significant progress. The applicant should have experience with complex atom/equipment and excellent organizational and communication skills (written and interpersonal).
The contract duration is 4 years.
The salary level for the Ph.D. student position depends on previous experience.
The earliest possible start date is Oct. 15, 2026; a later start date is possible.
For further information or for applying, contact:
Prof. S. Schiller, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, step.schiller@hhu.de
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