Open theses and project topics
Details about the currently avaliable topics can be found on SiROP. The categories (Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis and Semester Project) are primarily recommendations. Depending on the topic, it might be possible to adapt the scope to make it suitable for a different type of thesis/project.
Enhancing the spatial resolution of monthly gravity solutions derived from satellite laser ranging
The variations of the Earth's gravity field on a monthly scale mainly indicate the global water dynamics and provide invaluable information for understanding the Earth system[1]. Monthly gravity variations can be measured by GRACE(-FO) satellite missions with higher accuracy, but the data availability of such satellite missions is limited. On the other hand, the monthly gravity field variations can also be detected by analyzing orbit perturbations of satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO)[2], or using the satellite laser ranging (SLR)[3,4] techniques. SLR provides extended data records but typically with worse spatial resolution and accuracy.
Keywords
Deep learning, GRACE-FO, LEO, SLR
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-04-22
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Comparison of IWV observations from low-cost GNSS and WVR at the Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert of Chile
This master project aims to estimate time series of atmospheric water vapor from low-cost GNSS observations and validate the results using observations from a water vapor radiometer. The datasets are collected at the astronomical observation site Paranal in the Chilean Atacama Desert, where they can be used to correct optical astronomical measurements.
Keywords
GNSS Meteorology, Integrated Water Vapor, Water Vapor Radiometer
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Semester Project , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-04-22
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Impact of satellite mega-constellations on VLBI observations
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is versatile space geodetic technique, measuring radiation from extragalactic radio sources. VLBI supports a wide range of applications, including the determination of the terrestrial and celestial reference frames, measurements of the full set of Earth orientation parameters, and the determination of geophysical models. Due to its observation principle, VLBI observations have to be actively planned and organized between the radio telescopes. In recent years, a dramatic growth in the number of satellites emitting radio frequencies can be seen. Most notably is the Starlink system, with more than five thousand satellites being in orbit already. These satellite mega-constellations threaten VLBI observations since their emitted artificial radio signals interferes with the natural radio signal emitted from the extragalactic radio sources, especially if the satellite is aligned with the observed radio source. So far, no active measures are in place to avoid VLBI observations in such cases.
Keywords
VLBI, satellite mega-constellations, Starlink, satellite orbit
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Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
VLBI local baseline observations at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell
To provide the geodetic infrastructure necessary for monitoring the Earth system and for Global Change research, an end-to-end redesign of the current geodetic VLBI operations called the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) is underway. In this framework, new radio telescopes are constructed worldwide. These new telescopes form an independent network that has to be linked to the legacy station network that already has a decade-long observing history. The Geodetic Observatory Wettzell is equipped with three radio telescopes, one 20-meter large legacy antenna that has been operational since 1983 and has contributed the most VLBI measurements worldwide, as well as two new 13-meter large VGOS-style telescopes. By using specially designed VLBI observation sessions between these three telescopes, it is possible to calculate the local baselines between the telescopes with highest accuracy, helping to link the legacy network to the VGOS network.
Keywords
VLBI, scheduling
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Bachelor Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Ionospheric electron content from Kalman filtering VLBI data
The ionosphere causes delays in radio signals, measured by Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC). This project replaces the least squares (LSQ) algorithm with a Kalman Filter (KF) for more accurate and adaptable VTEC estimation from VLBI data under dynamic ionospheric conditions.
Keywords
Ionosphere, Kalman Filter, Stochastic Models, VLBI, VGOS.
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Detection of Atmospheric Rivers using GNSS Zenith Wet Delay
This project aims to develop a machine learning framework for detecting landfalling atmospheric rivers by using GNSS-derived zenith wet delays. The goal is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of GNSS data for atmospheric river detection, potentially providing an additional, valuable tool for monitoring and prediction.
Keywords
atmospheric rivers, GNSS, zenith wet delay, machine learning
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Automated VLBI data analysis pipeline
Over the past four decades, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data analysis has relied heavily on manual processing by various analysts, introducing inherent human biases and leading to inconsistent results. Automating VLBI analysis stands to revolutionize this field by not only simplifying the workflow but also significantly enhancing the quality and consistency of data interpretation.
Keywords
VLBI, data analysis, automation
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Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Analyzing and Exploiting Discrepancies in GNSS Solutions of Different Latencies with Machine Learning
The Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (NGL) is a global provider of GNSS solutions, offering data for approximately 20,000 stations worldwide. This includes both daily coordinate estimates and final solutions at a 5-minute resolution. While these final solutions typically exhibit a latency of about 2 weeks, the potential for additional solutions with shorter latency is recognized. Specifically, approximately 9,000 stations are poised for rapid solutions with a latency of around 24 hours, while 640 stations are designated for ultra-rapid solutions with a mere 2-hour latency. This extensive dataset presents a compelling opportunity for the application of machine learning (ML).
Keywords
Machine learning, GNSS, coordinate, troposphere, earth observation data
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Semester Project , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Data Screening and Homogenization of Long-Term GNSS-based PWV Products
Developing efficient and effective pipelines for implementing advanced data screening and homogenization methods to obtain clean and homogenized long-term GNSS-based precipitable water vapor time series.
Keywords
GNSS, PWV, data screening, homogenization
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Development of a Visualization Tool for the Geopotential
Our lives on Earth are greatly influenced by the geopotential and its variation based on location, yet understanding it is often challenging. Therefore, a visualization tool is needed to show how changes in the Earth's shape and density affect the geopotential and its derivatives.
Keywords
Earth, Geopotential, Topography, Density anomaly
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Implementing a dynamic noise model to improve drone-based GNSS RTK tropospheric estimation
A dynamic tropospheric process noise model will be implemented into GNSS real time kinematic (RTK) algorithms to improve the estimation of drone-based GNSS zenith total delays (ZTDs).
Keywords
GNSS, drone, tropospheric process noise, atmospheric monitoring
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
Description
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Gaussian Processes for Ionospheric Modelling
This thesis explores ionospheric modeling using GNSS and potentially VLBI data, employing Gaussian Process regression to address the non-linear behaviors and noise inherent in such data. The study focuses on enhancing predictive accuracy and the quantification of uncertainties in ionospheric variations, which are essential for improving global navigation and communication systems.
Keywords
Ionosphere, GNSS, VLBI, Gaussian Processes, machine learning
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Bachelor Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Regional Geoid Modeling
This master thesis aims to explore the application of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to regional geoid modeling. PINNs integrate physical constraints into neural network architectures, offering a novel approach to accurate geoid modeling while maintaining interpretability.
Keywords
Regional geoid modeling, Gravity field, Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN), Machine learning
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Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
Description
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Published since: 2025-03-19
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences