Research Associate for the Project “Benchmarking and Digital Twin Integration for Seismic Wavefield Analysis” in the project “Newtonian Noise Cancelling Headphones for the Einstein Telescope” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG
InstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences, Geophysics
Salary level
Start date01.07.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter pending approval of external funding, fixed until 30.06.2029 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline01.07.2026
Scope of workpart-time
Weekly hours75 % of standard work hours per week
Your responsibilities
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.
The position is part of the proposed project "Benchmarking and Digital Twin Integration for Seismic Wavefield Analysis" and belongs to the joint project PREDICT-NN "Newtonian Noise Cancelling Headphones" in the scope of R&D for the Einstein Telescope in Germany. This project aims to develop advanced methods for characterizing and mitigating Newtonian Noise (NN) by integrating machine learning, high-performance computing, and novel sensor technologies. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research environment, contributing to the development of next-generation seismic monitoring systems and supporting the Einstein Telescope’s sensitivity goals.
Within PREDICT-NN, this position will focus on developing and validating a benchmarking workflow for seismic wavefield models using a digital twin of the Einstein Telescope. The candidate will quantify how subsurface heterogeneities, such as soil properties, geological layers, and structural complexities, affect Newtonian Noise (NN) variability. Key tasks include conducting numerical simulations to assess the sensitivity of NN to subsurface structures, analyzing model performance, and integrating findings into a digital twin framework. The role involves collaboration with researchers at the University of Hamburg and international partners to validate models against real-world data from testbeds such as the Black Forest Observatory and WAVE (), as well as contributing to best practices and open-source tools for benchmarking.
This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of geophysics, computational modeling, and gravitational wave science, directly contributing to the next-generation gravitational wave detectors.
The position will be situated in the seismology group at the institute of Geophysics of the University of Hamburg. The group specializes in ambient noise seismology and the use of innovative seismic instrumentation. Their research focuses on understanding seismic noise sources, monitoring structural changes in Earth materials and beyond. They apply advanced sensors to investigate the near subsurface and use environmental seismology to monitor environmental processes.
Your profile
A university degree in a relevant field.
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the following requirements:
Essential skills and qualifications:
Prior experience in several of the following fields is beneficial:
Outstanding candidates will bring a high intrinsic motivation, individual responsibility, creative scientific thinking, and extensive social and team skills.
We offer
Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.
The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.