The Institute of Seismology at the University of Helsinki ISUH invites applications for the position of a doctoral student / PhD candidate in Seismology. The successful candidate is expected to conduct original research for the Research Council of Finland-supported DYNALake project that aims to monitor and image lake ice dynamics and properties of a subarctic lake environment. The public description of the project is reproduced below. We are looking for a candidate with a background in Seismology, Geophysics, Earth Science, Physical Sciences, Signal Processing, Computer Science, or Applied Mathematics. The post involves collaboration with an ISUH project postdoctoral researcher and with researchers at the Universities of Helsinki (Jilbert, Loehr), Grenoble Alpes (Moreau), and Stockholm (Stranne). Research tasks include the analysis of records from a geophone array and a distributed acoustic sensing system for icequake signal detection and discrimination, and icequake and passive tomography imaging of the lake ice sheet. The thesis work includes field work, course work, and mobility periods to exchange with the project partner at the University of Grenoble Alpes. We expect synergies with the FAME flagship community for learning and method development. The ability to start the post before the planned instrument deployment in February 2025 can be a selection criterion.
Applicants should send a single pdf document including a motivation letter with reference to an academic supervisor and a CV, or inquiries for more information about the project and/or the doctoral education at the University of Helsinki, to the project PI Prof. G. Hillers (bit.ly/HILatHEL, gregor.hillers@helsinki.fi) no later than Friday, 30 August 2024. The position remains open until filled.
Public description of the project The structural properties of subarctic lake ice are influenced by meteorological and environmental factors including ebullition of greenhous gases from the lake sediment. We install 300 seismic sensors on and around Lake Pääjärvi, 100 km north of Helsinki, to record the elastic waves propagating in the ice sheet. Using seismic methods we study the dynamic ice response to environmental drivers, yielding high-resolution icequake distributions indicative of ice deformation patterns. Supported by water sampling and sounding we aim to resolve the variation of degassing methane that interacts with the ice to explore the applicability of seismic lake ice tomography for improved estimates of greenhouse gas emissions. The DYNALake project contributes to safe commercial and recreational participation in seasonal cryo environments, and opens new ways for climate monitoring.