The Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG), Department of geophysics, in Vienna, Austria offers shorter visits for young professionals in connection with CTBTO events. The visit can be tailored to the wishes of the young professional, and the mentors can for example offer guidance on NPE (NDC Preparedness Exercise, verification matters, and how to run an NDC.

About ZAMG

ZAMG is a research institution with many responsibilities, including all activities of a national meteorology institute, geophysical services, and National Data Centre. The quality of the products and services offered is state-of-the-art and achieved through continuous research and development programs. For many years, ZAMG has been recognized in its specialist areas as the representative of Austria in relevant international organizations.

The National Data Center (NDC - AT) is responsible for the continuous monitoring of potential nuclear weapon tests. The tasks of the NDC include cooperation with the national authorities, the PTS, and other research institutions, in addition to analysis and interpretation of data, and participation in official meetings.

You can read more about ZAMG here: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/aktuell

Here you will find the main research areas of the Department of Geophysics: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/geophysik/geophysikforschung

What can ZAMG offer?

ZAMG can offer guidance on NPE (NDC Preparedness Exercise), verification matters, NDC operation, and writing reports for the government. The tasks and activities during the visit depend on the interests of the young professional. Dr. Mitterbauer and Dr. Apoloner are flexible and will design the visit based on the suggestions and wishes of the young professional. They can for example show instruments, an infrasound station, and talk about NDC-related topics, nuclear tests, events of interest, and how to run an NDC.

Remote mentoring is also possible if the young professional has concrete requests or questions. Dr. Ulrike Mitterbauer offers to give a general 2-hour introduction to the NDC over Zoom.

Time and duration

ZAMG offers young professionals to make short visits in connection with CTBTO events in Vienna starting from Spring 2022. The young professional can come to the NDC and stay for half a day.

A longer stay would also be possible, but this depends on what the young professional would like to do during the scientific exchange. However, one week is considered sufficient to show the NDC. For longer stays (up to one month) the young professional would need a specific research topic. Funding must be covered by the “sending NDC” or the young professional.

Terms and conditions for the young professional

• Scientific background: Bachelor’s degree in geosciences, interest in infrasound and seismology
• Scope of work: Already defined by YPN member criteria
• Language: German or English
• Personal skills: Motivated and eager to learn

Before arrival, Dr. Mitterbauer and Dr. Apoloner will conduct a basic interview over Zoom with the young professional to map expectations and plan the visit. After the visit, a letter or proof of participation can be issued.

Mentors

Dr. Ulrike Mitterbauer

Dr. Ulrike Mitterbauer is the manager of the Austrian NDC, situated at the ZAMG in Vienna.  Her expertise lies in the verification of the CTBT within the agenda of the Austrian NDC. Her scientific background is seismology and infrasound, and she was responsible for deploying the first mobile infrasound station for Austria. 

Her work includes analysis of seismic and infrasound data as well as participating in CTBTO activities such as WGB meetings, NDC workshops, scientific conferences, and waveform trainings. She is also involved in the training to become an OSI-Inspector in the seismic team. Since 2009, she has managed the NDC-Preparedness-Exercise (NPE) for Austria.  Therefore, Dr. Ulrike Mitterbauer can advise on running an NDC: from doing routine work and using software provided by the PTS to participating in National Preparedness Exercises and reporting to local authorities. Concerning infrasound, she can monitor on setting up and running a mobile station, event detection, and analysis. Working languages are German or English.

Dr. Maria-Theresia Apoloner

Dr. Maria-Theresia Apoloner from Vienna, Austria, has been a part of the YPN since the start-up days in 2017 and works at the seismological Service of Austria (ZAMG). Dr. Apoloner studied geodesy and geomatic engineering and specialized in regional seismology. Afterward, she was hired to do a Ph.D., which also focused on seismology, where she both learned how to research and set up seismic stations. In her daily work, she has many different responsibilities, spanning from earthquake analysis, coordinating projects e.g., on geothermal monitoring, and setting up seismic stations, to NDC and CTBT-related tasks. Formerly, she worked at the provisional technical secretariat (PTS) as a seismic analyst. Working languages are German or English.

Living and funding

• The anticipated daily living expenses are 30 € for food, 150 € for accommodation, 3 € for transport (per day)
• Travel insurance and European Health Insurance Card should be sufficient.  

Applications may be submitted at any time to [email protected].