PhD Position (1 of 3) in Earthquake Seismology and Hydromechanics

The Institute of Geophysics at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences of ETH Zurich has three open positions for full-time (100%) PhD students in earthquake seismology and hydromechanics. This is the advertisement for PhD #1, which focusses on the seismicity of complex fault zones.

The Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies ("BedrettoLab") is a unique research facility of ETH Zurich that allows studying earthquake physics, hydromechanics and deep geothermal energy under in-situ conditions. In the context of a global flagship project in earthquake seismology - the Fault Activation and Earthquake Rupture (FEAR) project - we are working to induce and study earthquakes with magnitudes of ~1.0 on a natural Alpine fault zone. The BedrettoLab provides direct access to the target fault zone at a depth of ~1km, such that we can place monitoring equipment directly on and around the fault zone. Because of this direct access, we can potentially observe, model and understand earthquake dynamic and hydromechanic processes in exceptional detail.

The target fault zone has been extensively characterised with a wide range of geophysical and geological methods. The detailed knowledge of in-situ fault zone properties allows us to study the intricate relations between these properties and fault zone behaviour, in terms of seismicity, hydromechanics, and earthquake dynamics. In this context, we are looking for three highly motivated candidates to embark on a PhD on the inter-connected topics of i) Seismicity of a complex fault zone (PhD #1); ii) Hydromechanics of a complex fault zone (PhD #2); and iii) Rupture dynamics of a complex fault zone (PhD #3). This is the description for PhD #1. You will find an equivalent advertisement for the other two positions on the same platform.

The 3 successful PhD candidates will join the Bedretto Team, a large, international team of scientists, who together strive to advance our understanding of fault zone processes and earthquake physics. The PhD programs will focus on data from the major upcoming experiments of the FEAR project, planned between November 2024 and December 2026.

This PhD project (#1) focuses on the relation between seismicity and fault network architecture. The target fault zone of the FEAR project is exceptionally well constrained, by different types of data sets, including active seismic campaigns, borehole analyses and very high sensitivity seismicity catalogues. This extensive data coverage presents a unique opportunity to study how seismicity reflects fault zone properties, and - in turn - how fault zone properties affect seismicity patterns.

To what extent does fault zone structure affect or even dominate the spatial distribution of hypocentres and focal mechanisms? How does the relative abundance of on- and off-fault seismicity vary in space (across the fault network) and in time (before and after larger ruptures)? What precursory patterns precede larger events, and how do they relate to the fault network? Can we anticipate which fault segments are most likely to rupture in a fault activation experiment, given the segments' orientation, size and macroscopic roughness? To what extent may fault network structure limit the growth of quakes beyond a maximum magnitude?

The successful candidate will focus on these and similar questions, using the exceptional data sets from the upcoming major FEAR experiments. The candidate will expand existing fault network reconstruction algorithms, using supervised and unsupervised deep learning methods. The algorithms will be designed to use seismicity along with the full range of complementary input data (e.g. strain, borehole and geologic observations), to infer a detailed 3D discrete fracture network model of the target fault zone of the FEAR project. They will use the inferred 3D model to study how fault network properties affect seismicity and earthquake source characteristics. In this process, they will interact closely with PhD #2, to study the relation between seismicity and fault zone hydromechanics, and with PhD #3, to study the relation between seismicity and rupture dynamics of the larger ruptures. The research of all three PhDs may have important consequences for our understanding of earthquake physics, earthquake hazard, and the safe generation of deep geothermal energy.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious young scientist with a knack for quantitative problem solving, coding, and for working with large data sets. The position requires a Masters' degree in Earth Sciences, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or a related discipline. You should have an interest in developing outstanding data processing, analysis and modelling skills in common scientific languages such as Python or Matlab. Importantly, working in an underground laboratory means working in a team. The position requires excellent teamwork abilities and communication skills, including good spoken and written English skills. You will be expected to develop and implement an independent research agenda, to publish papers in high-level peer reviewed journals, participate in international conferences, and to perform basic teaching assistant duties.

This project is embedded in an exciting research environment, with a large, diverse and interdisciplinary research team. ETH Zurich offers one of the best earth science and geophysics programs worldwide, and has generally excellent resources in terms of mentoring and infrastructure. The city of Zurich is widely known for its high standard of living, close proximity to the Swiss Alps and central location within western Europe. The salary and general working conditions are internationally highly competitive and according to ETH standards. The working language is English. Please check out the AVETH survival guide to find more information on a doctorate at ETH Zurich.