Ph.D. opportunity in Earthquake Early Warning, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

The seismology group at the Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich is opening a PhD position with the primary focus on improving robustness in earthquake early warning systems. The goal in earthquake early warning is to provide timely and robust information to guide damage-mitigating actions that can be taken in the few seconds between the detection of an earthquake and the onset of large ground motions for a given site. For some earthquakes, it is becoming technologically feasible to issue such warnings, and to thus initiate actions that reduce the damage due to these ground motions. Pre-operational early warning implementation efforts funded by the European Union and the U.S. Geological Survey are underway.

This PhD thesis will involve basic research in the following areas 1) improving uncertainty characterization in early warning by introducing more realistic models of real-time dataflow in seismic networks, 2) applying Bayesian model selection techniques to transition between point source and finite rupture source characterizations, 3) using simulated ground motions and available strong motion recordings to better understand what can or cannot be resolved by the first few seconds of P-wave. The successful candidate will also be involved in implementing the Virtual Seismologist early warning method as part of early warning implementation efforts in the Europe and the United States, and will contribute towards investigations in early warning algorithm testing, uncertainty, cost-benefit, and false-alarm rate analyses.

Candidates with a master in geophysics, engineering, applied mathematics, or computer science will be considered. A knowledge of time-series analysis is highly desired. Programming skills in several languages, such as C, C++, Java, Matlab, or scripting languages, are essential. The successful candidate will participate in undergraduate teaching and routine work at the Swiss Seismological Service. English and German are working languages in the research groups. The project involves a high level of collaboration between partner institutions throughout Europe and the United States. The candidate can expect to spend weeks to months at various partner institutions.

For more detailed information, please contact Dr. Georgia Cua, tel: +41-44-633-7574, email: georgia@sed.ethz.ch. For electronic applications, please send PDFs of your CV, statement of research interests, and the names and addresses of 2 references to georgia@sed.ethz.ch. Hard copy applications can be sent to: Dr. Georgia Cua, ETH Zurich, Institute of Geophysics, Schafmattstrasse 30, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.

For information about the Seismology group at ETH Zurich, please visit our website at http://www.seismo.ethz.ch. The selection process starts immediately, and will continue until the position is filled.