Post-doctoral researcher in DAS seismology - 18 months

Université de Strasbourg; France; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Université de Strasbourg invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position as part of the DASEC project (Deep listening: fiber-optic seismology in the Antarctic ice sheet).

The role focuses on deploying DAS fibre optics, developing data-analysis tools, and leading field work at Concordia Station, East Antarctica, with an emphasis on high-altitude field safety and collaboration with the French polar institute IPEV.

Qualifications

• PhD in seismology, geophysics, glaciology or related field, obtained within the last 3 years.
• Experience deploying, operating and troubleshooting DAS or dense seismic arrays.
• Programming in Python for large continuous datasets with reproducible workflows.
• Proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with high-performance computing or computing clusters.

Responsibilities

• Plan DAS and node deployment including layout, acquisition parameters, logistics and safety.
• Develop and test data-analysis suite using synthetic data.
• Lead the Concordia Station field campaign (six to eight weeks) on site.
• Conduct initial data analysis and prepare first publications from the data.

Skills

DAS / dense seismic arrays experience

Scientific programming in Python

Reproducible-code practice (git, tests

Publications in peer-reviewed journals

Field deployment and field safety

High-performance computing experience

Education

PhD in seismology / geophysics / glaciology or related field

Tools

Git

Job description

Organisation/Company Université de Strasbourg Department Direction des ressources humaines Research Field Environmental science » Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 27 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 27 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Research project or operation

The post-doctoral position is part of DASEC (Deep listening: fiber-optic seismology in the Antarctic ice sheet),
a two-year project running from October 2026 to September 2028 and funded by the Université de
Strasbourg through a USIAS Fellowship (University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study). During the
2027–2028 austral summer, the project will deploy DAS fibre in the EPICA ice-core borehole and along a
surface array at Concordia Station, Dome C, East Antarctica, together with seismic nodes and active seismic
sources. The data will address four questions: the crystal fabric of the deep ice beneath a dome, the
properties of the ice–bedrock interface, whether passive seismic sources exist in a slowly deforming dome,
and how firn properties vary where snow accumulation is very low.

Activities

Description of the research activities :

1. 1. Plan the DAS and node deployment with the project team, including the layout, acquisition parameters, logistics and field safety.
2. 2. Develop the data-analysis suite and test it on the synthetic data supplied by the project’s modelling researcher.
3. 3. Lead the field campaign at Concordia Station (about six to eight weeks, December 2027 – January 2028) as the only DASEC team member on site.
4. 4. Lead the first analysis of the data and the first publications drawn from it.

Concordia Station lies at 3,233 m, where the low air pressure makes the altitude feel close to 3,500 m, and summer temperatures range from −30 °C to −50 °C.

Related activities :

• Writing reproducible analysis code: version-controlled, tested and documented.
• Installing, running and troubleshooting the acquisition system at Concordia Station.
• Working on site with the seismic observatory and French polar institute (IPEV) staff.
• Co-supervising interns and PhD students.
• Taking part in USIAS activities, including the monthly Fellows’ seminars and the Annual Symposium.

Skills

Qualifications/knowledge :

• A PhD in seismology, geophysics, glaciology or a related field, obtained less than 3 years ago.
• Field experience with DAS or dense seismic arrays: deployment, operation and troubleshooting.
• Scientific programming in Python, including the processing of large continuous datasets.
• Reproducible-code practice: version control with git, testing and documentation.
• A publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Desirable:
• Array and ambient-noise methods, such as beamforming, frequency–wavenumber analysis, noise
  interferometry, and event detection and location.
• An understanding of fibre–ground coupling and of the DAS instrument response.
• Experience with high-performance computing or a computing cluster.

Operational skills/expertise :

• Desirable:
• Polar fieldwork.
• Fieldwork at high altitude (above 3,000 m) or in other demanding environments.
• Experience planning field campaigns: logistics, permits and budget.
• Experience co-supervising interns or PhD students.
• A driving licence.

Personal qualities :

• The ability to work autonomously and to coordinate with project partners.
• Willingness to co-supervise interns and PhD students.
• Fluent written and spoken English; French is not required but may be helpful