PhD Position (f/m/d) in Applied Geosciences: Pattern recognition in DAS data

•  Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW)
•  3 years
• 2026-10-01
• Full-time
• 59,300.00 to 63,300.00 EUR gross per year

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Your Tasks

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is a fiber optic technology that turns optical fibers into dense seismic arrays. When deployed on unused telecommunication fibers (“dark fibers”), DAS provides regularly spaced seismic measurements along tens or much more kilometers, which could enable seismic monitoring of large areas. The research is planned in the frame of the RUBADO project (BMWE, FKZ 03EE4076A), within which DAS is applied in the Upper Rhine Graben to explore its potential for monitoring geothermal reservoirs and induced seismicity at such scales. Efficient monitoring requires automated processing of the large volumes of data generated (several TB) to extract transient seismic signals, such as microseismic events, from the anthropogenic noise, which constitutes most of the recorded signal. Additionally, identification of quite periods is of interest for applying ambient seismic noise interferometry. Machine learning (ML) offers a promising solution to automatically classify signals of interest. The objective of this research work is to develop, implement and validate ML-based methods that improve signal detection and classification in DAS data, directly contributing to geothermal monitoring and broader seismic applications. 

In this framework, the following tasks are expected:

• Data acquisition, signal pre-processing and classification
  • Collect and organize datasets acquired within the RUBADO project,
  • Perform multi-domain analysis of DAS waveforms in the time, frequency, and space–wavenumber domains (and other array-based representations where relevant),
  • Develop robust pre-processing workflows (e.g., denoising and segmentation) tailored to DAS data characteristics.
  • Identify and extract physically meaningful signal attributes and recurring waveform patterns that capture the variability of seismic and anthropogenic sources, forming the basis for machine learning feature spaces.
• Training dataset development and pattern recognition framework:
  • Build and curate a labelled dataset through manual inspection and expert annotation of transient signals in DAS recordings,
  • Define consistent labeling strategies for different signal classes (e.g., seismic events, traffic-induced noise, instrumental artifacts),
  • Investigate and implement pattern recognition approaches to identify recurrent waveform structures and spatio-temporal signatures in DAS records,
  • Develop machine learning and deep learning workflows for automatic signal classification, including supervised, unsupervised, and/or semi-supervised (hybrid) approaches to use both labeled and unlabeled data.
• Model validation, benchmarking and transfer:
  • Apply ML models to DAS datasets from the RUBADO project,
  • Benchmark the performance against independent geophone data and existing event catalogs,
  • Assess model generalization capability across different DAS deployments, acquisition geometries, and environmental conditions,
  • Perform systematic uncertainty and bias analysis to identify limitations and improve model transferability.

• Workflow integration for seismic monitoring and subsurface imaging:
  • Integrate the developed processing and machine learning pipeline into the RUBADO analysis framework for near real-time or batch seismic monitoring,
  • Enhance event detection, classification, and characterization workflows to improve signal interpretability in DAS data,
  • Support improved subsurface imaging by providing cleaner, better-characterized input signals for further seismic processing (e.g., ambient noise analysis, interferometry, or velocity inversion).

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in Geophysics, Physics, Computational Earth Sciences, Mathematics or related field.
• Strong background in seismology and signal processing.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB, C/C++).
• Proven experience in big data analysis and/or machine learning.
• Interest in geothermal applications.
• Enthusiasm for fieldwork in addition to office work and for interdisciplinary collaboration.

We Offer

• Science for Impact:

  Engage with topics of societal relevance — in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.

• Career‑Building and Developmental Opportunities:

  We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.

• Flexible Working Hours:

  Take advantage of flexible‑hours schemes, remote‑work options, part‑time models, and a 30‑day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work‑life balance.

• Family-friendliness:

  The “KIT‑Family +” program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.

• Stay Healthy:
  

  Under the motto “Fit at KIT – Body, Mind and Soul,” we promote your well‑being through fitness classes, mental‑health programmes, and regular preventive health examinations.

• Individualised Extra Benefits:

  Enjoy a corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicket BW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes.

Job location
Karlsruhe (and Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen)

Salary
Salary category 13 TV-L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications.

Contract duration
3 years

If you have general questions about the application process, please contact
Raquel Carrasco Sanchez
Personalservice (PSE)
raquel.carrasco@kit.edu 
+49 721 608-42016

Please send your application as a single PDF including:

• a motivation letter (max. 2 pages),
• CV with publications (if any),
• transcripts of academic records,
• contact details of two referees.

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal.

Application up to: 2026-07-22
Job posting number: 1147/2026