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 applying life cycle assessment methods to the nutrient cycle of agroforestry systems induced with cellulose sludge and wood ash.

Title

Using life cycle assessment methods for evaluation the nutrient cycle of agroforestry systems when applying cellulose sludge and wood ash.

Description:

The main goal of the postdoctoral position will be to evaluate the state of the nutrient cycle of an established agroforestry system (AFS) in two scenarios, before and after the incorporation of recycled sludge and wood ash as fertilizer additives. The quantification of changes will be carried out using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods.

The postdoctoral researcher will utilize (among others) the innovative tools of ForScan by (based on) the CoE LignoSilva project.

Main responsibilities

Processing of obtained data and evaluation of achieved results

Data analyzing: Evaluation of economic and environmental relations / flows based on LCA

Results dissemination: Writing and publishing scientific papers

Professional qualifications (required)

A PhD or equivalent in forestry, wood science or a related field

Relevant skills in data collection

Excellent skills in using LCA software and LCA databases

Excellent skills in statistical methods and techniques

Excellent knowledge of English

Professional qualifications (positively evaluated)

Experience/skills with SimaPro software

Publications in high-ranking scientific journals

Experience/skills with wood processing technologies

Personal qualifications

Ability to solve scientific problems

Ability to interpret the results

Ability to work in a team

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 Center of Excellence LignoSilva. The Center of Excellence LignoSilva is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the National Forest Center providing state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of forest-based scientific 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.