Student Assistant for the Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies / Student Assistant for the Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies (feminine form)

Student Assistant for the Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies

10%-30%, Zurich, fixed-term

The BedrettoLab (Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies) is an innovative research facility at ETH Zurich, located in a 5.2-km tunnel in the picturesque Bedretto Valley (TI). At the forefront of experimental geosciences, the lab provides optimal conditions for pioneering research in earthquake physics, seismic instrumentation, geothermal energy, and fault-zone processes. Its dense multi-scale sensor network, which includes borehole acoustic emission sensors, standard seismometers, and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems operating from 1,000 to 200,000 samples per second, captures earthquakes down to magnitude -5 at meter-scale distances. All data is acquired and processed through SeisComP, with a team of approximately 30 scientists from diverse disciplines collaborating with research institutions across Switzerland, Europe, and the USA.

Job Description

The BedrettoLab seismology team is seeking a motivated student, preferably in their 2nd or final undergraduate year in Earth Sciences with strong IT/programming skills, or in Computer Science/Physics with an interest in geoscience and sensor technology. Your role will involve supporting sensor-noise analysis, calibration workflows, and seismic-coverage modeling at BedrettoLab.

Your responsibilities may include the following tasks:

• Data curation, conversion, inventory, and preprocessing from huddle tests, including data recorded on AE sensors, accelerometers, geophones, and DAS systems.
• Noise and waveform analysis for sensor characterization, including PSD/PPSD computation, figure preparation, and evaluation of coupling conditions (cemented vs. clamped installations).
• Supporting simplified sensor calibration workflows inspired by our ongoing high-frequency research, aligning overlapping PSDs between calibrated sensors and AE sensors to derive empirical sensitivity curves.
• Preparing noise and event-based power spectral density profiles across a broad frequency band, evaluating differences due to distance, magnitude, and installation conditions.
• Supporting seismic monitoring coverage modeling, integrating these noise profiles and simple earthquake-amplitude-distance models to assess detection capability and improve coverage maps.
• Data and metadata organization to ensure that processed datasets adhere to BedrettoLab standards.
• Optional participation in tunnel activities, including assisting with sensor installation, small test experiments, or sampling.

There is potential for this position to extend into a Bachelor's thesis or evolve into a Master's thesis focused on sensor calibration, high-frequency seismicity, or data-processing pipelines.

Profile

You can begin working as soon as possible. Applicants must be enrolled at ETH Zurich or the University of Zurich and should be willing to commit to an average of 15 hours per week during the semester, with the possibility of working up to 40 hours during semester breaks. We offer flexible working hours that allow you to study for exams or fulfilling other academic commitments while collaborating with the team to meet deadlines. Ideally, we are looking for candidates who can remain in the position for at least one year, with the possibility of continued employment.

Required Skills

• Basic programming experience (Python, Julia, or similar).
• Interest in seismic, acoustic, or sensor data.
• Ability to work with large datasets and structured file systems.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary geoscience environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Python scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy, ObsPy, Matplotlib).
• Familiarity with time-series processing, signal processing, or noise analysis.
• Background in Earth Sciences, physics of waves, rock mechanics, or instrumentation.
• Experience with Linux, Git, or workflows for handling large datasets.
• Interest in high-frequency seismicity, AE sensors, or DAS.
• Willingness to occasionally work in the BedrettoLab tunnel.

Workplace

Join a vibrant and innovative workplace at ETH Zurich, renowned for its commitment to excellence in research and education.

We Offer

• Your role will have a significant impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive societal change.
• Enjoy numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team that encourages a supportive and friendly learning environment.
• Receive a standard ETH student RA salary.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich fosters an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. We are committed to ensuring that the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Explore our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to see how we cultivate a fair and open environment that allows everyone to flourish. Sustainability is integral to our mission, and we strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We!

We look forward to receiving your online application through the form below.

Note: Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about the position, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Frederick Massin at fmassin@ethz.ch.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is a world-leading university specializing in science and technology, renowned for its exceptional education, innovative research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries choose ETH Zurich as a place that fosters independent thinking and inspires excellence. Situated in the heart of Europe, we forge connections worldwide to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.