PostDoc
My research interests vary from earthquake-and cryoseismology towards geology, and understanding subsurface processes using passive seismic techniques and ambient H/V measurements.
Currently, I am working within the Engineering Seismology Group on projects aimed at developing a national soil classification map for Switzerland.
This work integrates geological, geotechnical, and geophysical datasets to establish a consistent framework for soil classification based on:
- Shear-wave velocity profiles (Vs30, Vsh) and depth to bedrock (H800)
- Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) measurements and resonance frequency (f₀)
- Mapping of key parameters defining soil classes according to SIA 261 (2020) and the upcoming Eurocode 8 (2024)
- Developing an operational workflown for deriving soil classes from geophysical data
Previously at SED, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher and collaborating with the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. For my project, I will image spatiotemporal variabilities at the basal interface below glaciers through the analysis of ambient H/V measurements, to resolve subglacial changes affecting ice flow dynamics.
Employment
|
10/2024-present |
SED Postdoctoral Researcher In engineering seismology group on compiling soil classification maps for Switzerland |
|
10/2022 |
ETH Zürich Postdoctoral Researcher Swiss Seismological Service and guest researcher at Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research |
| 09/2017 – 05/2022 |
PhD Candidate at University of Groningen and Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) Thesis: Seismic site response in the Netherlands: impact of the shallow subsurface composition on earthquake ground motion amplification Supervisors: Prof. Rien Herber, Dr. Elmer Ruigrok, Prof. Dr. Läslo Evers |
|
01/2014 - 07/2017 |
Shell International Exploration & Production, the Netherlands Exploration Geoscientist Gabon Offshore and NV Sub Sahara Africa |
|
02/2013 - 07/2013 |
Fugro Geophysical Survey B.V., the Netherlands Geophysicist Intern |
Education
|
10/2017 - 02/2022 |
Graduate School University of Groningen |
| 09/2019 |
Summer school Cargèse, Corsica Ambient noise seismology |
|
09/2018 |
Summer school Young Seismologist Training Course, Malta Array seismology |
|
01/2014 - 07/2017 |
Shell Technical Graduate Programme |
|
01/2011 - 07/2013 |
MSc. Geology, Utrecht University Thesis: Mineralogical and microstructural analysis of natural CO2 - bearing sandstones. Advisor: Prof. Chris Spiers |
|
01/2011 - 08/2011 |
Master Geology Exchange program with ETH Zurich, Switzerland |
|
09/2007 - 10/2010 |
BSc. Earth Sciences, Utrecht University |
Awards / Grants
|
07/2022 |
ETH Zürich Postdoctoral fellowship grant |
|
05/2021 |
Outstanding Student Poster and PICO Award European Geosciences Union General Assembly An approach to construct a Netherlands-wide ground-motion amplification model |
|
12/2019 |
Outstanding Student Paper Award American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting The vertical component of low magnitude earthquakes, why do we care? |
| 04/2019 |
Outstanding Student Poster and PICO Award European Geosciences Union General Assembly Ambivalent amplifications: using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios to characterize subsurface seismic properties |
Van Ginkel, J., Walter, F., Lindner, F., Hallo, M., Huss, M., & Fäh, D. (2025). Spectral characteristics of seismic ambient vibrations reveal changes in the subglacial environment of Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Switzerland. The Cryosphere, 19, 1469–1490. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1469-2025
Grigoratos, I., Schultz, R., van Ginkel, J., Gunatilake, T., Wiemer, S., van der Wal, J. L. N., & Muntendam-Bos, A. G. (2025). *A generic seismic risk protocol for energy production sites. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-024-02088-4
Wehrlé, A., Rousseau, H., Lüthi, M. P., Nap, A., Kneib-Walter, A., van Ginkel, J., Jouvet, G., & Walter, F. (2025). Immediate ice stream and shear margin response to calving at Sermeq Kujalleq in Kangia, Greenland. Geophysical Research Letters, 52(18), e2025GL115829. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115829
Van Ginkel, J., Ruigrok, E., Wentinck, R., Herber, R., (2022) Amplification behaviour of compressional waves in unconsolidated sediments, Frontiers in Earth Sciences 475
Van Ginkel, J., Ruigrok, E., Stafleu, J., Herber, R., (2022), Development of a seismic site-response zonation map for the Netherlands, Natural hazards and Earth System Sciences 22, 41-63, DOI: 10.5194/nhess-22-41-2022
Van Ginkel, J., Ruigrok, E., Herber, R., (2020), Using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios to construct shear-wave velocity profiles, Solid Earth 11(6), 2015-2030, DOI: 10.5194/se-11-2015-2020 (Invited contribution)
Van Ginkel, J., Ruigrok, E., Herber, R., (2019), Assessing soil amplifications in Groningen, the Netherlands, EAGEFirst Break 37.10: 33-38.