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 plant eco-physiology for two years, with the possibility of extension. 

Key Information 

Supervisor: Ing. Roman Longauer, CSc. 

Description: The postdoctoral researcher will work mainly in the WasteUse innovative program of CoE LignoSilva project. The postdoctoral researcher will study interactions of the seedlings and saplings of 4 forest tree species with the growing substrates containing additions of wood ash and cellulose sludge.  

The purpose of postdoc position is to analyse benefits and risks of the use of wood ash and cellulose sludge in the growing substrates and soil additives deemed suitable for production of containerized forest tree seedlings and saplings.  To achieve this goal, the growth (e.g., height growth and increments, leaf area and leaf mass, biomass component production) and physiological characteristics (photosynthesis and respiration, transpiration and stomatal conductance) will be monitored in conjunction with underlining environmental characteristics: compositions of the growing substrate and soil additives, air/soil temperature and humidity. Potential interactions of the growth, physiological and environmental variables will be thoroughly analysed using devices and equipment available at the workplace 

As a result, potential limitations will be identified and eventual threshold values assessed for the use of wood ash and cellulose sludge in the growing substrates and soil additives in nursery production.  

Main responsibilities 

• Designing and implementing experimental measurements in collect relevant scientific data 

• Processing of obtained data using established methods and evaluation of achieved results 

• Results dissemination: writing and publishing scientific paper(s) 

Professional qualifications (required) 

• A PhD. or equivalent in forestry, other life or nature sciences with focus on plants (preferably trees) 

• Understanding forestry, plant nursery production and interactions 

• Experience with the eco-physiological assessments and measurements of plants (preferably trees) 

• Knowledge of field experimental designs and use of conventional methods of statistical analyses 

• Knowledge of English as an independent user – Common European Framework level B2 

Professional qualifications (positively evaluated) 

• Good understanding of forest ecology, forestry and related socio-economic and environmental issues in Central Europe, 

• Experience in eco-physiological research of plants, preferably forest tree species 

• Experience/skills with the use of related measuring equipment including sensors and dataloggers  

• Experience/skills with data analysis using appropriate statistical methods.  

Personal qualifications 

• Problem solving in scientific research  

• Ability to interpret and present research results 

• Ability to work in a team 

• Ability to cooperate with scientists and partners with different backgrounds 

Benefits 

• Opportunity to work on research topics with practical implications  

• Appropriate infrastructure and equipment available  

• Flexible work condition with focus on implementing of agreed tasks and achieving project goals.  

We offer: Successful candidate will be hosted in the research group of the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva embedded in the National Forest Centre with state-of-the-art research facilities located in Zvolen, where a multidisciplinary forest-focused research is carried out by a cluster of smaller research teams. We offer a multifaceted scientific project with adequate technical facilities, a 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.