Job Description

Part time 75%

Project Background

The tectonic structure of the Adriatic microplate and its interaction with surrounding orogens (Alps, Apennines, Dinarides, Hellenides) remain debated, with unresolved questions on slab tearing, detachment, and subduction polarity. As part of the large-scale international Adria-Array project we will construct the first high-resolution multiscale 3D P- and S-wave velocity model of the circum-Adria region using a full-waveform inversion (FWI) approach and jointly inverting for regional earthquake waveforms, ambient noise cross-correlations, and teleseismic waveforms. This project is imbedded in the multidisciplinary DEFOMR project funded by DFG on shedding new light on slab dynamics, crust–mantle coupling, and the driving parameters of mantle and crustal processes on geohazards.

Organisationseinheit

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Geophysikalisches Institut (GPI)

Ihre Aufgaben

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Design, develop and apply an flexible and integrative multiscale FWI using GPU-accelerated spectral-element simulations (Salvus, Specfem3D). Integrate diverse seismic datasets from AlpArray, AdriaArray, ANTICS, and C2S-RLN. Analyze the resulting models in the context of tectonics, geodynamics, and seismic hazard. Collaborate with leading groups (KIT, RUB, GFZ, ETH Zürich) and present results at major conferences (EGU, AGU, DGG).
The PhD student will benefit from close supervision and mentoring by internationally recognized experts:


Prof. Andreas Rietbrock Dr. Yajian Gao Prof. Wolfgang Friederich (RUB)

Eintrittstermin

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as soon as possible

Ihre Qualifikation

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Master’s degree in Geophysics, Physics, Computational Earth Sciences, or related field. Strong background in seismology, numerical modelling, or HPC. Interest in tectonics and geodynamics. Experience with programming (e.g., Python, Fortran, C/C++) and/or parallel computing is an advantage. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

Das bieten wir Ihnen

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Join our team

at the only German University of Excellence conducting large-scale national research. Work under excellent conditions in an international environment and actively contribute to research and academic education shaping the future.

Research Infrastructure and Resources:

Benefit from access to seismic networks in the Adriatic region and cutting-edge computing facilities, including the GPI cluster equipped with A100 GPU cards, the JUWELS Booster (JSC) supercomputer, and licensed Salvus (GPU-accelerated Specfem-Element code with adapted meshes). Our collaborative environment is embedded in the DFG Priority Programme DEFORM, ensuring close links to seismology, geodynamics, and hazard modeling groups.

National and International Exchange:

Engage in research visits at RUB (Bochum), GFZ (Potsdam), and ETH Zürich, and actively participate in national and international conferences, fostering broad scientific collaboration.

Training and Education:

Benefit from extensive lecturing and training on FWI and Machine Learning in seismology provided by GPI, as well as general training in data science, AI, and GPU computing offered by the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart. Specific onboarding training and a wide range of further qualification opportunities support your professional growth.

Work-Life Balance and Benefits:

Enjoy flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home), sports and leisure activities, as well as childcare and holiday care services. We contribute €25/month to the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg and provide a large variety of meals, snacks, and beverages in our canteens.

Salary

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Salary category 13 TV-L, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Contract duration

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3 years

Application up to

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02.11.2025

How to apply

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Please send your application as a single PDF including:


a motivation letter (max. 2 pages), CV with publications (if any), transcripts of academic records, contact details of two referees.

Contact person in line-management

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For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Andreas Rietbrock or Dr. Yajian Gao .

Ausschreibungsnummer: 1288/2025

Wir streben eine möglichst gleichmäßige Besetzung der Arbeitsplätze mit Beschäftigten (w/m/d) an und würden uns daher insbesondere über Bewerbungen von Frauen freuen. Bei gleicher Eignung werden anerkannt schwerbehinderte Menschen bevorzugt berücksichtigt.

Kontakt

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Bei allgemeinen Fragen zur Bewerbung:

Personalservice (PSE) - Personalbetreuung

Frau Carrasco Sanchez

Telefon: +49 721 608-42016,


Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe