[Cig-jobpostings] Mendenhall postdoctoral opportunity at USGS Menlo Park related to seismic velocity models and earthquake ground motion

[Brad Aagaard]

Mendenhall Research Fellowship Opportunity S28. Characterizing crustal 
structure in the San Francisco Bay area for earthquake ground-motion 
simulations

1 position available in Menlo Park, CA
https://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/opps/2018/S28%20Aagaard.htm
Application deadline: July 25, 2018.

For general application information: 
https://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/index.html

Structural engineers require accurate estimates of earthquake ground 
motion in order to design structures to resist loads efficiently and 
reduce loss of life and property from damaging earthquakes. In order to 
improve seismic hazard assessments, we need to advance our understanding 
of the physical processes that govern ground shaking and its effects on 
the built environment. As seismic waves propagate away from an 
earthquake rupture, they are affected by the earth structure, resulting 
in complex wave propagation effects caused by basin edges, 
super-critical reflections, scattering, and other features.

We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Scholar to use novel data and/or 
analysis techniques to improve the USGS 3D seismic velocity model for 
the San Francisco Bay region 
(https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/3dgeologic/). Many of the sedimentary 
basins within the model were defined using geophysical data, e.g., 
gravity surveys. Proposals combining seismic observations (e.g., 
earthquake recordings, previous active source experiments, and ambient 
noise) with geophysical observations (e.g., gravity and aeromagnetic 
data) and well logs to constrain the 3D elastic properties are strongly 
encouraged. Proposals should describe the merit of incorporating the 
chosen subset of observations in constraining the seismic velocity 
model. The proposed study should include documenting the effects of 
improvements in the seismic velocity model on ground-motion simulations 
of moderate earthquakes.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the advisors 
early in the application process to discuss project ideas.

Research Advisor(s): Brad Aagaard, (650) 329-4789, baagaard at usgs.gov; 
Russell Graymer, (650) 329-4988, rgraymer at usgs.gov.