Optimising and searching for gravitational waves with the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array

The unique rotational stability of pulsars has enabled search for gravitational waves at nanohertz frequencies through pulsar timing array experiments. Utilising the highly sensitive MeerKAT radio telescope, along with the international pulsar timing programs, hints of gravitational waves have already emerged. To ensure detection, this thesis discusses the challenges of current gravitational wave detectors and the strategies for mitigating various noise sources that lower the sensitivity of a detector. In addition, the first data release of the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array has also been analyzed to search for a burst with memory signal which could stem from merger of supermassive black hole binaries.