About us:

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Geophysical Observatory of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München are leading geophysical research institutions in Europe as well as worldwide.
We are seeking a PhD candidate to work in our Department in Munich and Fürstenfeldbruck for developing, calibrating and testing transportable ring laser sensors for rotational measurements in geophysics.
The project is part of the RING research group that aims at pushing the limits of ring laser instruments for applications in geodesy and geophysics.
The successful PhD candidate will work at the interface between sensor developers (laser optics) and users (seismology, geophysics). A strong interdisciplinary collaboration with the project partners (University of Hamburg, Helmut-Schmidt University and University of Bonn) is required. Research questions include: How close to the fundamental performance limitations of optical gyroscopes can we get with a transportable sensor and how can we assess its performance characteristics? The PhD position is primarily based at the Geophysical Observatory Fürstenfeldbruck.

We are looking for you:

PhD candidate for rotational measurements in geophysics (m/f/x)

in Munich

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Develop test protocols and standards for high-performance rotation sensors
• Performance characterization and calibration of the developed prototype
• First field experiments with seismological background
• Work together in an interdisciplinary group to make a geophysical instrument out of a laboratory grade prototype
• Communicate and publish project results in project meetings, international journals and conferences

Your qualifications:

• MSc in Physics or an Earth science related topic
• Ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary team
• Attention to detail and high level of critical thinking
• Experience with seismological field work is appreciated
• Experience in Python programming is an advantage
• Proficiency in English language is essential

Benefits:

LMU offers an interdisciplinary environment with excellent opportunities for further training and development.
Fixed term contract for three years, salary according to DFG regulations (75% German TVL-E 13, gross salary of roughly €38.000 per year, Entgelttabelle des Tarifvertrags der Länder).
LMU Munich is interested in increasing the number of female employees and encourages women to apply. Persons with disabilities are given preference if they are otherwise essentially equally suitable.
Flexible, family friendly working time models (e. g. remote work is possible) in the center of the attractive and vibrant city of Munich close to the Alpes.
The PhD is embedded in a large research group with in total 14 PhD positions at several German institutions in physics, geophysics, and geodesy with a strong joint training programme.

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

Complete applications must include a motivation letter (max one page), CV, and two recommendation letters.
Deadline for applications is 15.06.2026. Later applications may be considered until the position is filled. Please send your application to:

e-mail: felix.bernauer@lmu.de

Dr. Felix Bernauer,
LMU Munich, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Theresienstrasse 41
80333 Munich, Germany

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