Reference Number
10492
Monitoring temporal changes of seismic velocities and other seismic properties can provide valuable information about the behaviour and response of subsurface materials to natural and human forcing, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in groundwater levels and other hydrological processes, resource extraction, etc. In urban areas, continuous monitoring of these property variations at high resolution is hampered by direct access to the subsurface and the constraints of using conventional geophysical surveys.
In the framework of the Helmholtz-funded project InDySE (Interrogating the Dynamic Shallow Earth), this PhD focuses on leveraging Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) deployed on existing telecommunication networks (dark fibres) and ambient seismic noise to investigate temporal and spatial variations of seismic velocities in the near-surface of urban areas. The focus will be on detecting changes and establishing a correlation with external factors (e.g. environmental influences, earthquakes, etc.) to identify the fundamental processes and local conditions controlling parameter variations, and their potential relation with geohazards. One of the possible study areas will be the city of Istanbul (Turkey). In combination with high-resolution subsurface imaging and characterisation studies, this work will contribute to the generation of comprehensive models of the urban shallow subsurface for improved geohazard assessment and sustainable urban development.
Your responsibilities:
1. Analysis of ambient seismic noise data for temporal variations
2. Compilation of auxiliary data (e.g. environmental data) and correlation with observed seismic velocities
3. Interpretation of results concerning potential physical processes and parameters affecting seismic properties
4. Contribute to the design, planning and execution of DAS field experiments
5. Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at meetings and international conferences
Your qualifications:
6. A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Geophysics (preferred), Physics, Computer Science or in a related discipline
7. Background in Seismology; experience in the field of seismic noise preferred but not required
8. Familiarity and prior experience working with DAS data are advantageous but not required
9. Strong computational and scientific programming skills (Python, Matlab, C, C++, etc)
10. Good communication skills and a good command of written and spoken English
11. Willingness to participate in field experiments
What we offer:
12. Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
13. State-of-the-art equipment
14. Public service benefits
15. Extensive training opportunities
16. Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
17. Flexible working hours and conditions
18. Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
19. Institute day-care centre on site
20. Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
21. Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Start date: 1st September 2025
Fixed-term: 3 years
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 30th June 2025. Please use our online application form only.