5 may 2026 - 18:21 CET

The call for applications to the PhD Programme in Physics at the University of Padua for the academic year 2026/27 is now open.

Motivated candidates are warmly encouraged to contact the Padua gravitational-wave detector research group that works on experimental research for gravitational-wave detectors, with a main focus on:

• Scattered-light noise and how to reduce it, especially when linked to contamination and cleanliness;
• Frequency-dependent squeezing for gravitational-wave interferometry;
• Optomechanical studies of suspended membranes using optical cavities and interferometers;
• Novel ultra-high performance coatings;
• Studies of structure evolution during annealing with mechanical spectroscopy;
• Development of a sub-ppm absorption spectrometer for coatings; 
• Integrated optical-chip solutions for generating squeezed vacuum states for precision measurements.

The application deadline is 20 May 2026, 1:00 p.m. CEST. Candidates who have not yet obtained their degree can also apply, provided that they graduate by 30 September 2026.

Official call page:
https://www.unipd.it/dottorato/bandi-graduatorie

Interested students are encouraged to contact Marco Bazzan and Gianpietro Cagnoli as soon as possible, ideally with a short motivation letter and a CV. This will help us discuss their interests and give them useful feedback before submission. 

Please note that admission to the PhD school and funding are determined exclusively by passing an open examination as part of the official selection procedure.