Physics
Geodesy
Geophysics
Postdoc position at LMU Munich
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Heiner Igel, LMU Munich, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer, University Bonn
In this project we intend a step change in sensitivity and operational stability for the four-component ring laser ROMY at the Munich Geophysical Observatory in Fürstenfeldbruck. The successful candidate will work mostly at the observatory and should have a background or experience in experimental optics and laser-based methods. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at University Bonn
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Susanne Glaser, University Bonn, Co-supervisor: Dr. Daniela Thaller, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy Frankfurt BKG
The Chair of “Space Geodesy” at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation at the University of Bonn (U Bonn/IGG) is part of the new DFG-funded research unit RING that aims at pushing the limits of ring laser (RL) instruments and apply them in geodesy and geophysics. In project P3, U Bonn/IGG collaborates with the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), where we will combine the classical space geodetic techniques GNSS, SLR, VLBI, and the innovative RL data for improved Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs) and assess their impact on important geodetic key products such as satellite orbits and geodetic reference frames. The PhD position at U Bonn/IGG will focus on the RL part, including simulation studies. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at LMU Munich
Supervisor: Dr. Felix Bernauer, LMU Munich, Co-supervisor: Oliver Gerberding, University Hamburg
This project aims at developing, calibrating and testing transportable ring laser sensors for rotational measurements in geophysics. The successful candidate may have a background in physics or geophysics and will work primarily at the Geophysical Observatory Fürstenfeldbruck. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at University Bonn (Position filled)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer, University Bonn, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Oliver Gerberding, University Hamburg
The Quantum Metrology research group at the University of Bonn aims to develop transportable passive ring laser gyroscopes that are to be used in seismology. Building on an already existing three-dimensional prototype, you will improve the optical cavities, implement advanced locking schemes, mitigate the backscatter coupling, improve stability by setting up a vacuum vessel, and perform extensive characterization of the detector’s self noise, as well as field tests at seismologically relevant station. Work will be performed in close collaboration with partners in Hamburg and Munich, and will include field tests outside of Bonn.
PhD position at BKG Frankfurt
Supervisor: Dr. Daniela Thaller, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) Frankfurt, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Susanne Glaser, University Bonn
The Section “General issues, Combination of Space techniques” of the Geodesy Department at BKG Frankfurt is part of the new DFG-funded research unit RING and aims for an integration of the ringlaser data into the classical space-geodetic data. This specific project P3 is in cooperation with University of Bonn (Chair of “Space Geodesy”). The analysis of the space-geodetic techniques should be enhanced by data of the ringlaser in Wettzell in order to get a highly-resolved series of Earth rotation parameters, e.g. aiming at sub-daily resolutions down to an hour or even few minutes. The estimation of Earth rotation goes along with also consistently estimating all other parameters of the global geodetic reference frame, i.e. mainly station positions and satellite orbits. This allows us to investigate correlations between the parameters, and to benefit from the additional ringlaser data. Further information about BKG can be found here. (Official announcement to follow).
PhD position at University Hamburg
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Celine Hadiioannou, University Hamburg, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Heiner Igel
This PhD project pushes the boundaries of seismic interferometry by developing next‑generation methods based on fully six‑component (6 DoF) ground motion data. Working with cutting-edge ring laser gyroscopes, portable 6 DoF sensors, and wavefield simulations, the successful candidate will help create a new framework for characterising sources and imaging and monitoring Earth structures using rotational motions. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at University Bonn (available from May 2027)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer, University Bonn, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schreiber, Technical University Munich
The Quantum Metrology research group at the University of Bonn operates a 4-meter ring laser that serves as the technology development platform of the RING collaboration. You will develop components and methods (the full stack of hardware, electronics, data acquisition) that will then be implemented at the G-Ring and ROMY underground observatories. Development work includes improved mirror technology, laser locking and stabilization approaches, as well as optical control of the lasing process. Applicants will profit from experience in a (quantum) optics lab, some experience in precision measurements (such as optical clocks) or FPGA technology, and should have a strong motivation to dive into fundamental physics questions as well. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at Leibniz University Hannover (Position filled)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Müller
The Institue of Geodesy at Leibniz University Hannover (LUH/IfE) is part of the new DFG-funded research unit RING that aims at pushing the limits of ring laser instruments and apply them in geodesy and geophysics. In project P4, LUH/IfE collaborates with GFZ Potsdam and TU Berlin, where we will determine a novel set of Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) by integrating data from Ring Lasers, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). These unique EOP will then also be used to run enhanced tests of General Relativity. The PhD position at LUH/IfE will focus on the LLR-related parts. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil Jürgen Müller (mueller@ife.uni-hannover.de).
PhD position at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/Black Forest Observatory
Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Forbringer, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Andreas Rietbrock
We will carry our ambitious research within the project on ’Environmental effects on long-period rotational measurements’. A large-N array of autonomous barometers will be deployed in the vicinity of Black Forest Observatory (BFO). From the such obtained data parametric descriptions of time-varying lateral gradients of air-pressure shall be derived. These gradients contribute to crustal deformation. The local rotation of sensors in the observatory is sensed as tilt-coupled gravity and shall be explained in a deterministic way by the barometric time series. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at University Hamburg
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Oliver Gerberding, University Hamburg, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Katharina-Sophie Isleif
In this project we develop digital readout and control of passive ring laser gyroscopes and scattered light suppression technique to realize transportable high-performance rotation sensors. Candidates should have a physics or engineering background with experience in laser optics, digital signal processing and FPGA programming. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Supervisor: Dr. Robert Heinkelmann
The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam is part of the new DFG-funded research unit RING that aims at pushing the limits of ring laser instruments and apply them in geodesy and geophysics. In project P4, GFZ Potsdam collaborates with TU Berlin and LUH/IfE, where we will determine a novel set of Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) by integrating data from Ring Lasers, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). These unique EOP will then also be used to run enhanced tests of General Relativity. The PhD position at GFZ will focus on the VLBI-related parts. For further information, please contact Dr. Robert Heinkelmann (heinkelmann@gfz.de)
PhD position at LMU Munich
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Heiner Igel, LMU Munich, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Celine Hadiioannou, University Hamburg
In this project we explore the potential of 6-component (6C) ground motion recordings for seismic interferometry and the use of multiple 6C stations as an array of arrays. Candidates should have a physics or geophysics background with experience in analysing and simulating seismic wave fields. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Katharina-Sophie Isleif, Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gerbering, University Hamburg
This project is focused on the simulation of complete optical systems of transportable ring laser gyroscopes (e.g. using Finesse and ifoCAD), the development of comprehensive noise models including a digital twin, and the investigation of innovative opto-mechanical designs for next generation ring laser prototypes. Further information can be found here.
PhD position at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Andreas Güntner, Co-supervisor: Dr. Thomas Klügel
The open position is part of the RING project P6 which analyses the effects of atmospheric and hydrological dynamics on long-period rotational measurements, as a joint effort of GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). We are looking for a candidate to investigate the hydrological dynamics in the surroundings of a ring laser at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, operated by BKG. The goal is to assess if and how groundwater storage variations and soil moisture changes affect the ring laser measurements by mass attraction effects, and due to tilts caused by surface deformation. The research will be based on hydrological and hydro-geophysical monitoring on the grounds of the observatory and on hydrological modelling of water fluxes and storage variations at local and regional scales. All tasks will be carried out in close collaboration with BKG. The job posting is currently being prepared. For info contact Andreas Güntner
PhD position at the Technical University of Munich (Geodetic Observatory Wettzell)
Supervisor: Dr. Jan Kodet, Technical University of Munich, Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schreiber, Technical University of Munich, Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer, University Bonn
At the Technical University of Munich, within the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, we operate the 4 × 4 m G ring laser, currently the only instrument of its kind delivering data usable for geodetic applications. This PhD project focuses on the operation and development of an optical frequency comb and the implementation of electronics for optical readout systems. The work includes system operation, further development, and performance optimization. The candidate will collaborate with the quantum metrology group at the University of Bonn and the geodetic analysis team, contributing to data generation, processing, and delivery. Research will address backscatter mitigation, improved scale factor estimation, and advanced post-processing. Candidates should have a background in physics or engineering, with experience in laser optics, digital signal processing, and electronics. The job posting is currently being prepared. For info contact Jan Kodet.