The National Forest Centre Zvolen, Forest Research Institute (NFC – FRI) is looking for the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva research team member. 

The Centre of Excellence LignoSilva (CoE LignoSilva) focuses on the digitalization, optimization, and automation of processes in the Forest-based industry through innovative technologies. From 2018 to 2023, the implementation of the infrastructure project resulted in the creation of model and prototype workplaces and key technological units in areas such as 3D forest inventory and stand assortment, 3D CT detection of the internal quality of wood, energy and cellulose-paper wood processing, and waste utilization from their processing. 

Further development is ensured under the project “Upgrade of the Centre of Excellence of the Forest-based Industry – LignoSilva,” which has been implemented since January 1, 2024, by the National Forest Centre Zvolen, the Pulp and Paper Research Institute a.s. Bratislava, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (Braunschweig, Germany). The project is supported by the European Commission within the Horizon-WIDERA-2022-ACCESS-01-two-stage (Teaming for Excellence) program. 

Position 

Postdoctoral researcher in forest inventory and stand assortments using laser scanning data. 

Key Information 

Supervisor: Ing. Ivan Sačkov, PhD. 

Description: The postdoctoral researcher will mainly work in the ForScan innovative program of CoE LignoSilva project. The main objectives of this program are (1) to conceptualize an advanced workflow for 3D forest inventory and stand assortment based on airborne laser scanning (ALS) and mobile laser scanning (MLS) data, (2) to validate and demonstrate this workflow in laboratory and forest environment, and (3) to disseminate related outcomes at national or international level, in order to facilitate the practical implementation of innovative 3D remote sensing technologies into the forest inventory and stand assortments. 

Main responsibilities 

• Data acquisition: field surveys focused on ground and MLS data 

• Data processing: geospatial operations ensuring reliability of GR/ALS/MLS data for further analysis 

• Data analysing: R&D focused on ALS/MLS-based forest inventory and stand assortments 

• Results dissemination: writing and publishing scientific papers 

Professional qualifications (required) 

• A PhD or equivalent in forestry, remote sensing, informatics or a related field 

• Good skills in field survey 

• Excellent skills in ALS and MLS 

• Excellent skills in statistical methods and techniques 

• Excellent knowledge of English 

Professional qualifications (positively evaluated) 

• A good understanding of forests and forest management in Central Europe 

• Publications in high-ranking scientific journals 

• Experience/skills with C#, R or Python scripts 

• Experience/skills with artificial intelligence 

• Experience/skills with different types of remotely sensed data 

• Experience/skills with different types of statistical and geospatial tools 

Personal qualifications 

• Ability to solve scientific problems 

• Ability to work in the forest environment 

• Ability to cooperate with scientists and partners with different backgrounds 

Benefits 

• Opportunity to work on an important challenge for forest management 

• Opportunity to work with hi-tech infrastructure 

• Opportunity to work in flexible everyday life based on a full-time position for 2 years 

We offer: 

The successful candidate will be hosted in the research group of Centre of Excellence LignoSilva. The Centre of Excellence LignoSilva is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the National Forest Centre providing state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of forest-based science groups. We offer a multifaceted scientific project with excellent technical facilities, a place in a dynamic, committed team, as well as strong scientific collaborations. 

Work Contract will be established as an agreement for public service workers according to the Slovak law. The salary is determined in the form of a personal salary in the amount of €2100 per month. 

Further information: 

Ing. Igor Viszlai, PhD. | igor.viszlai@nlcsk.org 

Národné lesnícke centrum, T. G. Masaryka 2175/22, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovak Republic 

Applications: 

National Forest Centre is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or other classification protected by law will receive consideration for employment. 

Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV containing a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, and the addresses of two possible referees (so we can possibly check applicant previous experiences) and should be submitted via the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva online application system. The deadline for the advertisement is 31 December 2024, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.