The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,500 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 4.7 "Earth Surface Process Modelling" we are looking for a:
Student Assistant (f_m_x) in Earth Surface Process Modelling
Reference Number 9303
Section 4.7 "Earth Surface Process Modelling" at the GFZ focuses on developing models to simulate the processes responsible for the evolution of the Earth's surface. In the Hazards and Surface Processes Research Group, we aim to understand the mechanism of different kinds of natural hazards, such as landslides, rockfalls, floods, and debris flows, and migrate these hazards
”Testing and optimising machine-learning-driven debris flow early warning systems''
Debris flow is a widespread gravity-driven hazard in mountainous regions, mixed with water, mud, and solid particles of various sizes. Due to the high impact force, strong basal-lateral erosion, and long outflow distances, debris flow emerged as one of the most destructive mass movements in the mountains and posed a huge threat to residents and property along the main flow path. Early warning systems offer a cost-effective approach to debris flow risk mitigation. Furthermore, environmental seismology, which focuses on recording and interpreting the mechanical vibrations at the Earth's surface, provides a novel, non-invasive, high-temporal resolution method for mass movement monitoring. Our previous work has shown that machine learning can improve the accuracy of identifying debris flow in seismic signals and extend early warning times. Machine learning models were trained to detect debris flow from seismic signals, and a warning strategy was designed for the Illgraben catchment in Switzerland. To test the migration ability of the models, new seismic data from different catchments will be used.
Section 4.7 supports increasing the number of female researchers and, therefore, particularly invites interested women to apply. The student assistant will be working with Dr. Hui Tang and Qi Zhou.
Your responsibilities:
- Prepare seismic features based on our existing methods
- Validate trained models with different types of seismic features
- Statistical analysis of model performance for different catchments
- Presentation of results in our group seminar
Your qualifications:
- Enrolment at a German University
- B.Sc./ M.Sc. in Science, Engineering, or Computer Science
- Basic knowledge of data science and time series data analysis
- Basic knowledge of Linux, Slurm, Pytorch, Scikit-learn
- Fluent in English
What we offer:
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Flexible working hours and conditions
- Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
- Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Fixed-term: 3 months, with an option to extend (this requires a valid enrollment certificate)
Salary: According to the rules of the TdL (tariff area East) for student assistants, currently € 12.41 (without a bachelor's degree) and € 12.72 (with a bachelor's degree)
Working hours: 10-20 hours per week
Place of work: Potsdam
Are you interested?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 28th April 2024. Please use our online application form only.
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 recognized 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 for the severely disabled 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.
