Seismologist - Ground Motion Modeller (f_m_x) Reference Number 6107

The goal of our team (section 2.6 “Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics“) is to achieve progress in all steps leading to an improved assessment of seismic hazards beyond the state-of-the-art.

We seek a postdoctoral research scientist to support us and to contribute to the development of next generation of ground-shaking models used for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, real-time post-event predictions of shaking and damage, and/or earthquake early warning. As part of on-going and forthcoming European projects, we aim to develop hybrid models of ground motions that will integrate large-scale databases of observed ground motions, physics-based simulations of seismic waveforms, and cutting-edge machine learning methods. This next generation of models should account for potential non-linear site effects, regional dependencies of source, path and site properties and consider the calibrations of ground motions variabilities. We are looking for a curiosity driven colleague who can build upon recent developments in physics-based ground motion modelling and/or machine learning to find innovative methods to characterize ground motion in future seismic hazard and risk studies.

These developments will benefit from the team experience in the development of ground motion models and site effects evaluations. The recruited person will interact with international networks of experts and teams involved in the field of numerical modelling, seismology and seismic hazard/risk evaluation.

The position should be filled by September 1, 2022, but an earlier start is possible. The duration of the position will be for 3 years, with the possibility of extension. The position can be filled at a more junior (post-doc) or a research scientist level.

Your responsibilities:

• Development of the next generation of ground motion models (physics-based and data-driven)
• Collaborate closely in an interdisciplinary context (computer sciences, theoretical and engineering seismology, probabilistic seismic hazard/risk assessment and seismic early warning)
• Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals

Your qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Geoscience or Computer sciences
• A PhD obtained in the last 5 years in the domains of Seismology, Geophysics or Computer sciences
• Demonstrated experience in ground motion modelling (either empirical or physics-based)
• Excellent programming skills, experience in HPC, machine learning or data assimilation techniques
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of German would be regarded positively
• Good communication skills