[iris-bulk] (Job) PhD position in Earthquake Early Warning, ETH Zurich

[IRIS]

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 at 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 at 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.