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Faculty of Geography and Geosciences :
Earthquake Processes
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a
PhD researcher (m/f/x) for 3 years
The Earthquake Processes working group at the Institute of Geosciences, Ruhr University Bochum, studies earthquake properties and their interactions with fault structure. We employ a combination of observational and numerical approaches to estimate earthquake source parameters, shallow velocity structure, and the influence fault structures on the source and statistical properties of earthquakes. We use a combination of seismic observations from traditional seismic networks and fiber-optic sensing on telecommunications cables to sense ground motion combined with computational and numerical techniques to study the physics of earthquakes.
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join a collaborative project funded by the Dutch Research Council. The candidate will work with us on cutting-edge analysis of earthquake and shallow velocity structure in the Lower Rhine Embayment. The work will focus on using new and existing data to build enhanced earthquake catalogs, estimate earthquake source and statistical parameters, and use innovative techniques to apply fiber-optic sensing data (commonly referred to as DAS) to shallow seismic velocity tomography.
Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 Jahre
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-06-17
Your tasks:
- Seismological and DAS data analysis using AI techniques for earthquake detection
- Earthquake catalog building, including an initial and enhanced catalog
- Estimating earthquake source parameters and performing clustering analysis
- Shallow velocity tomography using dispersion curves, as well as site parameter estimations (e.g., kappa)
- Incorporating your results with collaborators in geodetic and modeling studies
Your profile:
Required qualifications:
- MSc degree in Geosciences, Physics, or equivalent
- Experience in seismic data analysis
- Strong computational skills
- Experience in Linux operating systems and programming in Python, Matlab
- Experience in seismic tomography and or joint-inversion approaches (e.g., TomoDD)
- Proficient scientific English skills (spoken and written)
Desired qualifications:
- Willingness to acquire skills relevant to the latest technological developments in DAS seismology
- Willingness to work in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environement
- Willingness to participate in a small amount of fieldwork
- Knowledge in physics, mathematics, and statistics
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to achieve analytical goals together with colleagues (Teamwork skills)
We offer:
- Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of personal responsibility.
- Opportunity to make an innovative contribution.
- A modern, equipped workplace.
- Structured supervision and extensive training opportunities.
- Flexible and family-friendly working hours.
- A qualified onboarding process.
- An inclusive, supportive, and forward-thinking research culture.
- The chance to carry out international joint research
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Applications should be written in English, including a cover letter (max. 1 page) stating your motivation for this position, CV, contact information for two professional references, copy of university degree certificates and transcripts of marks awarded. Please submit your application as single pdf file.
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr. Rebecca Harrington , Tel.: +49 234 32 23297
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-06-17. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5769.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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