Research positions
Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences
The Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague is seeking outstanding researchers to fill up to 4 full-time research positions at post-doctoral to mid-career level. The fields of research are broadly defined across the full range of geophysical and geological sciences, as we invite individuals who will not only integrate into existing teams, but will also develop new research areas of high scientific merit.
The successful candidates will have good communication skills in English (command of Czech is welcome but not necessary) and will present and publish research results at the international level. We seek candidates who are motivated to develop an innovative research program, and who have the vision and skills to build and lead a research team. In addition to academic experience, relevant industry experience and ability to attract industry partners is an advantage in some fields of research.
Key research fields considered
Seismotectonics: Analysis and modelling of seismic response to active tectonic processes; analysis of global seismic databases; volcano-seismology; correlation with ground deformation signals (e.g., InSAR).
Numerical modelling in seismology: Forward and inverse modelling of seismic wave propagation in 3D laterally inhomogeneous media; numerical modeling of complete seismic wavefields in 3-D structures and analysis of local response; earthquake hazard assessment; modelling of seismic source; inverse methods applicable in earthquake seismology and induced seismicity processing; stress pattern retrieval.
Seismic tomographic imaging & 3D modelling of continental lithosphere: Velocity structure of the upper mantle; 3D self-consistent anisotropic models of continental lithosphere.
Numerical modelling of geodynamic processes: Processes of lithosphere deformation on geological timescales at plate boundaries and intraplate domains; lithospheric folding models in context of thermal and mechanical inhomogeneities; modelling of magma ascent, diapirism, volcano-tectonic processes.
Fault dynamics & modelling: Analysis of fault and fault zone formation in various stress regimes and materials using numerical and analogue models.
Palaeoclimatology: Analysis of geophysical, geological and geochemical proxies for reconstructing palaeoclimate; application of GCMs to climates in the Earth’s past.
Earth & planetary surface processes/morphodynamics: tectonic/quantitative geomorphology; Quaternary geology; modelling of sedimentary processes on Earth and other planets; provenance studies; source-to-sink analysis; landscape evolution; numerical methods in surface processes, including applications of cosmogenic nuclides.
Sedimentary basin analysis & numerical modelling: Tectonic and thermal evolution of basins; sedimentary budgets and routing in basins; 2D-3D basin modelling; fluid flow and diagenesis in basins; 2D-3D seismic reflection data analysis.
Analysis & modelling of regional to global gravity & geodetic data: Acquisition, processing and interpretation of gravity and geodetic data in investigation/monitoring of volcanic and tectonic activity; regional geodynamic studies; tiltmeter data analysis; analysis of Earth tides and hidden geo-signals related to crustal dynamics.
Geoelectricity & magnetotellurics: Direct and inverse problems in electromagnetic induction; anisotropy of electrical conductivity in the Earth’s crust; magnetotelluric studies of active systems (e.g. large scale tectonics, magmatic, geothermal, and mineral deposits).
Geomagnetic field – models and space weather: Regional and global models of the geomagnetic field; interaction with space weather; physical processes; geoeffectiveness and space weather forecasting.
Practical information
We welcome international applicants as well as Czech citizens. The primary criteria in selecting the successful candidates will be scientific merit and the way in which they would contribute to the future development of our Institute and its teams. We encourage applicants with current commitments, who are interested in joining us later, to communicate with us. The positions remain open until filled; evaluation of applications will begin on August 1, 2020.
An applicant is expected to send a motivation letter, CV, a list of publications, and provide names of 3 professionals from relevant academic or industry fields from whom reference letters can be requested, to the following contact address: gfu@ig.cas.cz.
Initial employment will be offered for a fixed term (2 years), with expected continuation of employment after successful evaluation.
About us
The Institute of Geophysics is a public research institution focusing on fundamental research, but also strong in the acquisition of observational data and involved in applied research activities in collaboration with various industry partners. In addition to specific collaboration of individual teams and individuals, the Institute is involved at the international level in the large research infrastructure EPOS (European Plate Observing System). More details can be found at our web pages. We currently employ about 50 researchers.
We operate a number of permanent seismological stations as part of the Czech Regional Seismological Network (CRSN) covering the territory of the Czech Republic, a local seismic network in seismically active Western Bohemia (WEBNET), and currently an array of seismic stations deployed in Reykjanes, Iceland. More than 50 mobile seismic units are used in local as well as international passive seismic experiments, at present namely within the ALP Array initiative. Other observatories include the South Bohemian geomagnetic observatory as a part of the international INTERMAGNET initiative and experimental geothermic stations installed in boreholes. Gravity and Earth tides observations are carried out at several locations. Advanced petrophysical studies are made possible by an in-house developed experimental setup for ultrasound measurement of P-wave velocity in many directions at high confining pressure. A range of instruments for rock-magnetic measurements is used for study of rock microstructure, deformation, or environmental magnetism. For computationally intensive tasks, the Institute uses its own supercomputing facility ‘NEMO‘. Study of crustal- and lithosphere-scale geodynamic processes is supported by an analogue modelling laboratory, which will receive a larger dedicated space during the year 2020.
In our institute, researchers have the opportunity to fully focus on their scientific work. The Czech Academy of Sciences supports an environment of freedom in pursuit of scientific progress, and offers programs to financially support and reward outstanding individuals at various stages of careers. For example, the Lumina Quaeruntur Fellowship or the Otto Wichterle Award include substantial compensation above basic salaries. Programmes to financially support international collaboration and travel are also available, both from the Academy and the Ministry of Education. A targeted programme is run by the CAS to support junior postdoctoral researchers. Involvement of our researchers in teaching and supervision of geoscience students (from Charles University, Prague, and other universities) is encouraged, as well as involvement in public outreach activities of our institute. Check our website https://www.ig.cas.cz/en/about/open-positions-and-tenders/ to learn more about new colleagues hired recently.
We are located in a quiet residential area, comfortably connected to the centre of Prague by public transport (15 minutes by underground). Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, ranks among the 20 largest cities of the European Union and is an attractive travel destination.