In Maastricht, professor Hild will help build the ET Pathfinder, a test centre where new ideas for instruments for measuring gravitational waves can be tested and developed. The ET Pathfinder is a prototype of the Einstein Telescope: a deep-cooled, triangular underground laser detector ten kilometres in length, which in theory will be able to explore the universe as far back as the Big Bang. This new science and associated innovations are of great importance for students and researchers as well as entrepreneurs and institutions in the (Eu)region.

With the appointment of professor Hild, UM will join the nationwide collaboration Nikhef. With this, Maastricht joins a productive cooperation in the field of (astro) particle physics of the NWO Institutes Organisation, Radboud University, the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Prof. dr. Martin Paul, President of UM, is excited about the opportunities that come with the accession to Nikhef: “In recent years, Maastricht University has been working on the successful development of science and technology education and research. The development of the Fundamental Physics research group is part of this. The accession to Nikhef will give a boost to cooperation in the field of (astro) particle physics and offers our researchers and students even better access to the international network and facilities.”