Research Fellow, ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics

Classification: Academic Level B
Salary package: $107,475 – $121,857per annum plus 17% Superannuation
Term: Fixed Term, Full-time appointment until June 2025
Position Description and Selection Criteria:  Position Description and Selection Criteria - Level B Research Fellow.pdf

• Flexible working arrangement including hybrid arrangements working both on our beautiful, green campus and working remotely,
• Generous paid parental leave entitlements of up to 32 weeks
  Designated parent rooms, quiet spaces and childcare facilities on campus,
• Excellent employer superannuation contributions and variety of salary packaging options
• Career support, training, mentoring & upskilling opportunities.

The Area

The ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA) undertakes a world-leading role for Australia in the science and technology of gravitational wave discoveries. The centre strategically unifies the ongoing research at ANU Research School of Physics and ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. CGA hosts the ANU Node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and conducts research on high precision laser interferometry for gravitational wave detection and other applications. EQUS@ANU is seeking outstanding early-to-mid-career researchers to fill a Research Fellow position at level B.

CGA is a team of experimental and theoretical physicists, engineers, and astronomers who work collegially towards their shared goal of advancing gravitational wave astrophysics research and translating the science and technology to a wide range of high-precision measurement applications. We thrive on learning and advancing together. We value equity and diversity and implement action-oriented strategies toward fostering an inclusive, diverse, welcoming and respectful culture in our workplace where everyone can bring their whole self to work and flourish. Get to know us more!

The Position

We are seeking to appoint a female-identifying experimental physicist to share with them our passion in laser interferometry and precision phase tracking for space applications.  The ANU EQUS node is working on laser interferometry techniques for future space missions including the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) series of missions, and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) – the space based gravitational-wave observatory. 

The Person

The successful candidates should have a PhD in physics or engineering. Desirable skills are:

• Precision laser stabilization
• Quantum optics
• Precision measurements for physics or astrophysics instrumentation

The CGA and EQUS are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into the culture of our research disciplines and looking at a number of initiatives to support gender equality within the centre including improving gender balance amongst staff and students in the Physics and Astrophysics disciplines.  As part of this initiative, the Centres are taking a proactive action towards this goal by opening this position to female applicants only. This is an equal employment opportunity measure aiming to increase representation of women within the area of gravitational wave astrophysics. It is intended to constitute a special measure aimed at increasing employment opportunities for women in the workplace where women have been, and continue to be, underrepresented.

Deborah S. Jin was a brilliant American physicist who was one of the world’s foremost experts on how ordinary atoms and molecules change their behaviour at extraordinarily low temperatures. Her visionary and methodical approach made it possible to use these ultracold gases as model systems to tease out the quantum principles that lead to behaviours in real materials, such as superconductivity. These Fellowships honour her legacy by supporting and encouraging early-and mid-career women physicists.

For more information about the position, please contact Professor Kirk McKenzie on T: +61 2 6125 0206 E: kirk.mckenzie@anu.edu.au

A Diverse and Inclusive Team

ANU is introducing measures to support the recruitment, inclusion and retention of employees with disability. To find out more, please click here.

ANU is a large, diverse employer with staff working across numerous professions (see the full list of available roles here. We are a recipient of the bronze award through the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program and a platinum member of the Australian Network on Disability. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and from individuals who may have had a non-linear career path, career gaps or career breaks.

For more information on a range of lifestyle, financial and non-financial rewards and programs, please click here.

To see what the Science at ANU community is like, we invite you to follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please upload the following documents:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV), and
• No more than a two page summary addressing your suitability against the selection criteria.

The committee will consider candidates that do not meet one or more aspects of the selection criteria.

If you require adjustments to participate in any of the above assessments, please contact our HR team at E: hr.cos@anu.edu.au or T: +61 2 6125 4219. Any adjustment request or the disclosure of disability will not be communicated to the selection committee without the candidates consent and it will not having any bearing on hiring decisions.

For examples of common reasonable adjustments please click here.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.

Closing date: 23 April 2023