Research project description

The project focus on the development of a data analysis pipeline for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background for the Einstein Telescope detector.

This Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) project centers on designing, implementing, and validating an end-to-end data analysis pipeline dedicated to detecting and characterizing the stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) for the next-generation interferometer Einstein Telescope (ET).  The goals will be to develop novel noise-modeling frameworks, signal-extraction and separation algorithms, and Bayesian inference tools. 

The proposed MSCA project will develop a state-of-the-art, end-to-end data analysis pipeline tailored to the ET detector in different configurations and unprecedented sensitivity to the SGWB in the 1–10⁴ Hz band. The project will start  with a rigorous characterization of terrestrial and instrumental noise sources through a combination of  realistic simulations based on ET design curves and real noise data that will be furnished by the local INGV institute; it will then implement optimized cross-correlation algorithms for both co-located and spatially separated detector layouts, including noise correlation effects, augmented by adaptive time–frequency techniques to mitigate non-stationary noise transients, before performing Bayesian inference analysis—MCMC and nested sampling frameworks on HPC and GPU platforms—to jointly estimate SGWB spectral parameters and noise hyperparameters; the pipeline will be validated via extensive injection campaigns on simulated datasets, quantifying detection significance and parameter biases under varying noise scenarios, and as a main outcome the release of open-source software accompanied by thorough documentation, interactive workshops within the ET collaboration, and publications in leading journals. At the same time I will provide the Early-Stage Researcher with intensive training in detector physics, statistical inference, high-performance computing, and collaborative software development to ensure they emerge as a fully equipped expert ready to drive next-generation gravitational-wave cosmology.

This work will be hosted at the Department of Physics of the University of Pisa—a world-leading center   in gravitational-wave theory, data analysis and instrumental aspects, and strong ties within the Einstein Telescope Collaboration—and will be supervised by Dr. Angelo Ricciardone, a senior researcher with over a decade of experience in stochastic background searches.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (10th September 2025). Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.

At the call deadline, the applicant must have a maximum of 8 years’ experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.

Mobility Rule: The applicant may be of any nationality (European Fellowships) or nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (Global Fellowships) but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy (for European Fellowships) or the host organization for the outgoing phase (in case of Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before 10th September 2025.

Application procedure

Expressions of interest must be sent by email to angelo.ricciardone@unipi.it no later than 10th of June and must consist of two pdf files: 

1. Complete and updated CV, clearly demonstrating all 3 eligibility requirements.
2. Motivation letter, maximum one page.