Geophysiker (m/w/d)

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation under public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine research.

Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations.

The Research Unit Magmatic and Hydrothermal Systems (MuHS) of the research division 4 - Dynamics of the Ocean Floor is offering a position preferably starting as soon as possible. The position offers the possibility to attain a doctoral degree in natural sciences.

The position is within the framework of the project “Understanding Core-Mantle Interaction Through Global Mapping of Ultra-Low Velocity Zones in Mantle Convection Models”, which is part of the German Science Foundation's Priority Programm SPP 2404 DeepDyn (https://www.geo.lmu.de/deepdyn/en/) about reconstructing the deep dynamics of planet Earth over geologic time.

Ultra-Low Velocity Zones (ULVZs) are thin patches at the base of Earth’s mantle-only tens of kilometres high yet 100 to 1000 km wide-where seismic shear waves exhibit extreme reductions of 20-30%. They are archives of Earth’s thermochemical evolution, potentially reflecting its early differentiation or interactions with the core, but also more recent mantle flow patterns. Yet these interpretations depend critically on ULVZ composition, which remains poorly constrained.

The doctoral researcher will numerically model ULVZ evolution and properties in plate-guided global mantle convection simulations. They will develop a framework that quantitatively evaluates these simulations by inferring ULVZ properties from mineral physics and comparing them to seismic constraints, including ULVZ geometry, geographic location and distribution. They will synthesize these results to deliver the first global ULVZ map based on dynamic simulations and to discriminate among proposed ULVZ compositions. The work will be performed as part of SPP 2404 DeepDyn with numerous opportunities for collaboration with national and international partners and other doctoral researchers.

Development and analysis of numerical geodynamic models that include ULVZs

Use of mineral physics modeling tools to compute properties of lower mantle materials

Conducting a parameter study with varying ULVZ and lowermost mantle properties

Development of a probabilistic framework to assess models using seismic observations

Analysis of the best-fitting simulations in terms of links between ULVZs and plume formation as well as core-mantle boundary heat flux and topography

Contribution of relevant software implementations to open-source research software

Collaboration with international partners who are experts on mineral physics modeling software and seismic observations

Presentation of relevant results at national and international scientific conferences and publication in scientific journals

Master´s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g. geophysics, physics, mathematics, planetary sciences or a related field)

Fluency written and spoken English language

Experience with numerical modeling or model analysis

Programming experience (preferably C++)

Strong background in the dynamics of Earth’s interior, fluid dynamics, or a closely related area (demonstrated through relevant coursework, research experience, or equivalent training)

The following are also desirable

Experience in the development, analysis and interpretation of geodynamic models

Experience with the geodynamic modeling software ASPECT or other geodynamic modeling software, ideally including personal contributions to software development

Experience with quantitative methods for model assessment, statistical inference, or uncertainty quantification

Experience with mineral physics computations (e.g., using...