The support section plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the SED by providing administrative, communication and technical support. The finance, controlling and administration unit handles all administrative matters in support of management and research projects. It is also responsible for contracts and controlling in close cooperation with the relevant administrative units of ETH Zurich. The communication unit supports the continuous exchange of information with different stakeholders, including the public. It designs, operates and manages various communication formats and channels to ensure that relevant knowledge and results are accessible. This unit also houses a group that researches risk communication. The IT and technology unit covers technological developments both in the IT sector and for the seismic network. It is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and future development of the SED’s seismic monitoring networks.
The communication unit is led by Dr. Michèle Marti.
Project and organisational communication
This group is dedicated to making knowledge, scientific findings and the latest insights known and accessible. It manages both internal and external communication for the SED as well as for national and international research projects in which the SED is involved. The group oversees the technical development, content, and design of several websites operated by SED including this website. It also coordinates the dissemination of information in the event of earthquakes and manages public outreach activities, such as exhibitions and conferences. The group further responds to media requests and questions asked by the public.
In addition, Dr. Michèle Marti represents the SED on federal bodies involved in communicating natural hazards, such as the Natural Hazards Portal Steering Group and the Group of Communication experts linked to the Steering Committee Intervention in Natural Hazards (LAINAT).
Risk communication research
This risk communication research group addresses the question of how to design scientific information that helps different audiences to make informed decisions. The group applies qualitative and quantitative social science methods, often in a transdisciplinary setting, to evaluate communication products and improve risk communication.
This unit, led by Dr. Florian Haslinger, manages the administrative side of SED operations. It handles all HR, financial, and legal matters, working closely with ETH Zurich’s central administrative offices. The team ensures compliance with the reporting requirements of multiple funding agencies for many active research projects. The unit also provides support for the planning and practical organisation of seminars, workshops, and other events, often working alongside the communication unit.
The IT and technology unit is led by Lukas Heiniger.
Electronics Lab (ELAB)
The Electronics Lab (ELAB) manages the more than 200 seismic stations within the permanent national networks. The team takes care of all aspects of station operations, from concept development and contract negotiation to real-time data transmission, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance. In addition, ELAB manages more than 100 streaming stations associated with various projects and a large pool of seismic equipment for temporary and mid- to long-term deployments, both domestically and internationally. With support from their apprentices, they develop electronics, software, and tools for special research projects, enhanced monitoring, internal processes, and SED events and exhibitions.
IT systems and support
The IT professionals at SED are organisationally embedded in different groups and sections where they operate data-processing and public web infrastructure, develop and maintain software to support research projects and SED operations, collaborate in international technical committees, and implement domain specific libraries, tools and services for the community.
The IT systems and support group is responsible for the coordination at the management and technological level. In addition, it manages and provides support for workplace-IT and shared IT infrastructure such as storage, high-performance computational resources, collaboration tools, and various project-specific and special-purpose services complementing the infrastructure provided by ETH Zurich.
FOS Lab
The FOS Lab, led by Dr. Pascal Edme, is a research-oriented group focusing on the development of Fiber Optic Sensing (FOS) technologies to enhance seismic monitoring capabilities. The FOS Lab is equally funded by four groups from the Institute of Geophysics at ETH Zurich.