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.
Understanding Effects of GPS Data on Weather Foundation Models
Existing weather foundational models can be enriched with data from different modalities, like GPS. The effects of this data on model accuracy are unclear. This projects aims to disentangle the influence of different data sources on prediction of climate variables (e.g., humidity or El Niño–Southern Oscillation) using explainable AI methods and interactive visualization.
Keywords
Machine learning, weather, foundational models, explanable AI
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Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-09-01
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: 2025-08-18
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: 2025-08-18
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: 2025-08-18
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: 2025-08-18
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: 2025-08-18
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics 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)
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Published since: 2025-08-18
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: 2025-08-18
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)
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Published since: 2025-08-18
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology , Earth Sciences
Optimizing Observation Strategies for VLBI Twin Telescopes
Geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is currently undergoing a major technological upgrade with the development of the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS), a new global network of next-generation radio telescopes. One of the main limitations identified in traditional VLBI is the accurate estimation of atmospheric path delays. VGOS addresses this by implementing high-speed telescopes capable of slewing at up to 12°/sec. Additionally, the concept of twin telescopes, two co-located antennas operating independently, has been introduced to improve the spatial and temporal sampling of the atmosphere. By observing different directions simultaneously, these twin systems can significantly enhance the quality of atmospheric delay estimation. Until recently, only one twin-telescope site existed. However, the situation is evolving: Europe now hosts three operational twin-telescope sites, offering new opportunities for innovative observing strategies.
Keywords
VLBI, VGOS, scheduling
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-06-06
Organization Space Geodesy (Prof. Soja)
Hosts Soja Benedikt
Topics Engineering and Technology