100%, Zurich, fixed-term

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (D-EAPS) is seeking a motivated doctoral student to work at the intersection of statistical seismology and machine learning. This position is part of two EU-funded projects: GeoTwins , which focuses on creating digital twins for geothermal systems, and Earth-AID, which aims to develop an AI-powered decision-support system for geohazards. The position will contribute to advancing earthquake forecasting and risk management and improve our ability to mitigate induced seismicity in real time. 

Job description

The doctoral student will develop, integrate, and evaluate forecasting models of induced and natural earthquakes. The responsibilities include:  

• Model Integration: Incorporating state-of-the-art models, specifically ETAS-f and Oracle, into the SED's forecast management and scheduling system 
• Systematic Evaluation: Performing rigorous model comparison tests to determine forecast quality 
• Surrogate Modeling: Building, training, and evaluating machine learning surrogate models to emulate complex seismic behaviors and accelerate forecasting 
• Data Engineering: Populating and managing data lakes with large-scale natural ETAS simulations and synthetic datasets to provide the foundation for AI training 
• Scientific Communication: Publishing findings in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences 

Profile

• Education: An MSc degree in Geophysics, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field 
• Technical Skills: Strong programming proficiency (primarily Python) 
• Domain Interest: A deep interest in seismology, induced seismicity, and the application of statistics and machine learning to earth science problems 
• Analytical Skills: High-level quantitative skills and a structured approach to complex problem-solving 
• Communication: Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with full proficiency in English (written and oral)

Workplace

Workplace

We offer

The Swiss Seismological Service operates at the unique intersection of academic research and a federal public mandate, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are essential for addressing complex geohazard challenges. The candidate will be part of a community that values mutual mentorship and collective growth, supported by a world-class academic environment: ETH Zurich is currently ranked #1 globally for Earth Sciences (QS World University Rankings 2026). This is a 100% position with a competitive salary in line with standard ETH doctoral rates, based in the heart of Zurich. 

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Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Motivation letter 
• CV 
• Academic transcripts 
• Contact details of 2–3 references 

Further information about the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Leila Mizrahi and Dr. Vanille Ritz (leila.mizrahi@sed.ethz.ch , vanille.ritz@sed.ethz.ch ) (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.