The newly funded MINE Junior Research Group, leaded by Dr. Simone Cesca at the University of Hamburg, intends to develop seismological tools to monitor mining areas and underground reservoirs, by means of continuous multi-stream time series analysis and inversion. We aim to model fracturing processes and stress field evolution on a very local scale. The MINE project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

We look for motivated and dynamic candidates to fill the following three PhD positions within the MINE project:

PhD position (m/f) WP1
Automated event detection and location in mining environments

Tasks: The main goal will be the adoption, development and validation of different techniques to detect and locate seismic sources at mines, with spatial extensions ranging from mm-length microcracks to hundred of meters rupture length of induced earthquakes. The candidate should focus specifically on the development of techniques using full waveforms and coupling different data flows (e.g. seismic, acoustic, deformation). Specific tasks will include: adoption/implementation of existing triggering and location algorithms, generalization to 3D velocity structures, development of full waveform triggering/location techniques, validation of the potential of developed techniques using synthetic datasets, application to available datasets form salt and iron ore mines, interpretation in terms of seismicity pattern evolution and relation between local seismicity and microcrack dynamics. The candidate will be responsible for the implementation of a continuous multi-stream data access interface. Strong collaboration with other work packages and partner institutions are expected. The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. K. Stammler (BGR Hannover), where part of the research will be carried out.

Qualifications: Diploma or master degree in Geophysics or Physics. Knowledge in seismology, geophysics and computer programming (Python, Fortran) will be positively evaluated.

Start/duration: 1/7/2010, 3 years

Salary: TV-D 13/2

PhD position (m/f) WP2
Source characterization of microseismicity

Tasks: The main goal is the adoption and improvement of source inversion techniques from general seismology and their adaptation to model small-scale seismic sources at mining region. Developed techniques will make use of full waveform techniques and handle 3D velocity structures. Specific tasks will include: 3D Green's functions generation and handling, development of different inversion tools (P/S ratio and full waveform amplitude spectra inversion), moment tensor inversion in 1D and 3D models, detection of source directivity and extended source parameters, assessment of developed techniques using synthetic datasets and available datasets from different mines. The candidate will be responsible for the implementation of a multi-stream database. Strong collaboration with other work packages and partner institutions are expected. The candidate will be co-supervised by research partners at NORSAR (Norway), where part of the research will be carried out.

Qualifications: Diploma or master degree in Geophysics or Physics. Knowledge in seismology, geophysics and computer programming (Python, Fortran) will be positively evaluated.

Start/duration: 1/7/2010, 3 years

Salary: TV-D 13/2

PhD position (m/f) WP3
Stress tomography and fracture monitoring

Tasks: The final goal of this work package is to provide tools to image stress perturbations and weakening regions and their time evolution. The importance of stress tomography at mines is of extreme importance towards an efficient hazard assessment at different time scales. The main methodological aim is to develop a new method able to couple seismicity and focal mechanisms estimation, within a joint stress tomography tool. Specific tasks will include: evaluation of energy/moment release, estimation of temporal clustering properties, analysis of spatial-temporal event clustering, predictive modeling based on a stress model for specific mines, stress inversion based on seismicity rate changes, comparison of stress models based on seismicity, focal mechanisms and joint inversion, hazard assessment at different time scales. The candidate will be responsible for the implementation of the project output visualization tool. Strong collaboration with other work packages and partner institutions are expected. The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. S. Hainzl at GFZ Potsdam, where part of the research will be carried out.

Qualifications: Diploma or master degree in Geophysics or Physics. Knowledge in seismology, geophysics and computer programming (Python, Fortran, Matlab) will be positively evaluated.

Start/duration: 1/7/2010, 3 years

Salary: TV-D 13/2

The selection process will start on May, 15^th, 2010. Later applications may be considered if the positions are not filled. The University of Hamburg is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. For more information please contact Dr. Simone Cesca (simone.cesca@zmaw.de).

If you wish to apply, please include a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact details of two references. Applications should be directed by e-mail to:

Dr. Simone Cesca
Institute of Geophysics, University of Hamburg
Bundesstrasse 55, D-20146 Hamburg
+49.40.428384389
simone.cesca@zmaw.de