Postdoctoral Researcher in Seismology (f_m_x) - Statistical and Physics-Based Seismic Hazard Modeling

GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung

GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”. For section 2.6 Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics (department “Geophysics"), we are looking for a:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Seismology (f_m_x) – Statistical and Physics-Based Seismic Hazard Modeling

Reference Number 10912

The SEISCLIM project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and coordinated at GFZ in the section Hazard and Risk Dynamics, aims to understand how hydro-climatic variability modulates crustal deformation and seismic hazard. Within this interdisciplinary framework, we are seeking a seismologist with strong theoretical and computational skills to develop new probabilistic and physically informed approaches for seismic hazard assessment. The successful candidate will contribute to the next generation of seismicity and hazard models that integrate statistical and physics-based representations of earthquake occurrence. These models will account for spatio-temporal variability in seismicity rates, non-Poisson behaviour, and environmental loading effects, and will be benchmarked through comparisons with traditional PSHA models. The work will involve developing reproducible open-source codes and participating in an international research network linking seismology, geodesy, and climate sciences. Your responsibilities:

• Develop and test statistical and numerical earthquake forecast models for PSHA applications
• Integrate synthetic catalogues and non-Poissonian forecasts into hazard frameworks
• Quantify ground-motion exceedance probabilities and compare different PSHA implementations
• Contribute to reproducible open-source research software and data workflows
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary context combining seismology, geodesy, and climate modelling
• Present and publish research results at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed journals

Your qualifications:

• A Master's degree or equivalent and a PhD (obtained within the last three years) in seismology, geophysics, applied mathematics, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience in seismic hazard modelling or earthquake forecasting
• Solid background in statistical and probabilistic modelling of earthquake occurrence
• Experience in research software development and open-science workflows (e.g., Python, Git)
• Publication record demonstrating independent research ability
• Fluency in English (written and oral)
• Additional desirable qualifications include:
  • Knowledge of fault mechanics
  • Experience in physics-based numerical modelling
  • Background in structural geology or tectonics (especially crustal fault in South America)
  • Familiarity with high-performance or cloud-computing environments

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Collaboration within the SEISCLIM project and international partner institutions (Germany, France, Chile, Türkiye)
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Institute day-care centre on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus