Postdoctoral researcher*in (f_m_x) - Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment

The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.

For section 2.6 Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics (Department "Geophysics”), we are looking for a:

Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) - Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment

Reference Number 10030

Numerical simulations are increasingly used to predict the seismic vibrations generated by earthquakes. The aim of this postdoctoral fellowship will be to develop and/or test methods for quantifying the epistemic uncertainties of modern seismic motion simulation methods in order to integrate them into a probabilistic assessment of seismic hazard. This subject is well suited to a researcher with experience of this type of subject and wishing to spend a year in our team.

Your responsibilities:

• Analyze the epistemic uncertainty of physics based ground-motion models
• Propose methods to quantify these uncertainties in a PSHA framework
• Implement a test case showing the potential (and possible limits) of the new methods
• Present these methods/results in international meeting/publications

Your qualifications:

• MSc in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or Geosciences
• PhD in seismology
• Experience with seismic hazard evaluation and/or ground-motion modelling
• Experience with epistemic uncertainty evaluation
• Fluency in spoken and written English is a prerequisite

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

Have we piqued your interest?

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any questions, please contact our Representative Body for Employees with Disabilities at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Fabrice Cotton either via email at or phone +49 (0)331-6264-1125. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.