Seismologist (f_m_x) - Ground Motion Modeller

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 2 "Geophysics"), we are looking for a:

Seismologist (f_m_x) - Ground Motion Modeller

Reference Number 10805

The goal of our team in section "Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics", headed by Prof. Fabrice Cotton, is to make progress in all areas leading to an improved assessment of seismic hazards that goes beyond current methods. We are seeking a seismologist to support us in developing the next generation of ground-shaking models. These will be used for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments, real-time post-event predictions of shaking and damage, and/or earthquake early warning systems. We intend to develop ground motion models that integrate large-scale databases of observed ground motions, physics-based simulations of seismic waveforms and cutting-edge machine learning methods. This next generation of models should account for potential nonlinear site effects and regional dependencies of source, path, and site properties, as well as considering the calibration of ground motion variabilities. We are looking for a curious colleague who can build upon recent developments in machine learning to find innovative methods to characterise ground motion in future seismic hazard and risk studies. The team's experience of applying machine learning to the development of ground-motion models and site-effect evaluations will benefit these developments. The successful candidate will interact with international networks of experts and teams involved in numerical modelling, seismology, and seismic hazard and risk evaluation. The position should be filled by 1st March 2026, but a later start date is possible. The duration of the position is for two years, with the possibility of extension. Either a postdoctoral scientist or a research scientist can fill the position of seismologist. Please see the specified qualifications below. Your responsibilities:

• Development and testing of the next generation of ground-motion models
• Collaborate closely in an interdisciplinary context (computer sciences, theoretical and engineering seismology, probabilistic seismic hazard/risk assessment and seismic early warning)
• Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals

Your qualifications:

• A Master`s degree or equivalent and a PhD (obtained within the last five years) in the field of seismology are requirements for the position
• Demonstrated experience in ground motion modelling
• Demonstrated experience in machine learning, particularly generative AI
• A solid publication record
• Fluency in English (written and oral)
• Knowledge of German would be viewed positively
• Good communication skills

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• 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
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus