PhD Position (f_m_x) “Causal and mechanism discovery for multi-scale and sp

at  HelmholtzZentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ

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.
In Section 4.7 “Earth Surface Process Modelling” (Department 4 “Geosystems”), we are looking for a student for:
PhD Position (fmx) “Causal and mechanism discovery for multi-scale and spatiotemporal data in geoscience”

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master degree or diploma in Mathematics, Data Science, Machine Learning or Geosciences
• Programming skills in Python, C, or similar language are necessary
• Familiarity with machine learning and data science is strongly desirable
• Knowledge in seismology or geochemistry is desirable
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
  Start date: 1st January 2025
  Fixed-term: 36 months
  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

• Process and analyse continuous time series data such as seismic data and isotope data
• Develop and improve causal discovery framework for continuous time series
• Develop and improve equation discovery framework (e.g., SINDy) for continuous time series
• Develop a machine learning approach for determining tipping points in Earth system and critical thresholds for early warning system based on causal and equation discovery framework, especially for mass movement
• Build a statistical framework for ensemble simulations deriving thresholds for future climate
• Interact with other members of the Earth Surface Process Modeling Section at weekly group meetings and in other informal ways
• Present results at scientific meetings and in publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Supervise master’s students