PhD candidate (f_m_x) in tectonic geomorphology
Reference Number 8908
Temari project (手毬: Tectonic and wave controls on the generation and preservation of marine terraces)
Temari is funded by the German Science Foundation and led by Luca Malatesta at GFZ Potsdam and Sumiko Tsukamoto at LIAG Hannover. Shigeru Sueoka (JAEA), and Kyoko Kataoka (Niigata University) complete the team. The PhD candidate will be based at GFZ Potsdam in the section Earth Surface Process Modelling.
Wave-cut marine terraces — platforms carved by wave erosion and displaced by crustal deformation — have long been a focus of geomorphological studies as recorders of past sea level and rock uplift. Along tectonically active coastlines, they are crucial to decipher crustal deformation over multiple earthquake cycles and constrain the associated seismic hazard. Yet, the environmental controls on their creation and preservation remain relatively poorly known and the models proposed for their creation have been insufficiently tested.
The objective of Temari is to identify and quantify which geological and environmental conditions promote or hinder the creation and preservation of marine terraces. The field sites for the project are the Noto Peninsula and the island of Sado on the NW shore of Japan where detailed work will inform numerical models together with topography analysis.
We are looking for a motivated and curious PhD candidate to research marine terraces with a mix of field work, GIS analysis, and numerical modeling.
Your responsibilities:
- Co-leading field missions
- Sedimentological analysis of marine terrace deposits
- Geomorphological observations and mapping of terrace systems
- Topographic analysis with GIS
- Development and/or improvement of numerical models for terrace generation
- Integration of field observation in numerical models
- Proactive scientific interaction with the research group at GFZ and with the community at large
- Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences
Your qualifications:
- Master degree in Earth Sciences or equivalent field
- Major or minor in geomorphology and/or active tectonics
(seismology, geophysics, etc.) - Familiarity with numerical modeling is a strong desirable
- Field experience is a desirable
- Knowledge of a programming language (expert knowledge is not required)
- Knowledge and familiarity with GIS software and methods
- Proficiency in spoken and written English
- Proficiency in Japanese is a desirable
Are you interested, would you like hear more about this project? Please contact Luca Malatesta at malatest@gfz-potsdam.de .
What we offer:
- Dynamic and international research team
- Possibility to live in and commute from Berlin
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Public service benefits
- Extensive training opportunities
- Professional career advice offered by our 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
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam train station
Fixed-term: 3 years
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
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