Open post for a PhD student at Slovenian Forestry Institute

(Use of genomic data to improve prediction of tree provenance growth and resilience under future climate)

The candidate will conduct research based on a combination of field and laboratory work and from existing genomics datasets. He/she will collaborate in international projects (H2020 FORGENIUS, Horizon Europe OptFORESTS) and with recognized research institutions in Slovenia and abroad. Through his/her work and participation in various workshops/conferences, the candidate will acquire skills that will enable him/her to have a successful scientific career after graduation. He/she will gain experience with analyzing large datasets and high-performance computing, molecular lab, critical thinking, audience-friendly communication including manuscript writing and teamwork.

Work description

The proposed research will combine knowledge from different scientific fields, especially genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and modelling working with long-lived forest trees. The research will focus on understanding the adaptability and maladaptation of different tree provenances to climate change by including genomic data from common gardens into models predicting the growth and resilience under different environments, including calculations of statistics related to population vulnerability (e.g., genomic offset). The training program of the young researcher and the exact content of the PhD project will be agreed with the selected candidate. The choice of the University is negotiable.

Candidate’s profile

We expect the candidate to have a desire to explore data, creativity, initiative, sound critical judgment, and the ability to work in a team. Working in international collaborations requires a good command of the English language. The candidate should have a basic knowledge of genetics and genomics and a willingness to further develop his/her knowledge in these fields along with learning bioinformatics and modelling. The candidate should be willing to travel for extended periods of time to attend training courses and obtain experience at partner institutions abroad. We expect a candidate with a MSc degree in genetics, biology, forestry, agriculture, or other related fields. Experience in programming languages (R, Python) and command of Linux is desirable.

Workplace

The young researcher will work in the Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics at the Slovenian Forestry Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The PhD student will be employed full time for 4 years and will receive all social benefits. The work will start on October 1, 2023.

Further information:

Please contact Marjana Westergren, e-mail: marjana.westergren@gozdis.si for further information.

Open positions in other disciplines and more details about the above one are available at this link: https://www.gozdis.si/f/docs/informacije-javnega-znacaja/Public-Call-for-Applications-for-the-Young-Researcher-Positio.pdf

Dr. Marjana Westergren, univ. dipl. inž. gozd / For. Eng. Znanstvena sodelavka / Research fellow Večna pot 2, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija Telefon/Phone: +386 (0)1 200 78 54 E-mail: marjana.westergren@gozdis.si / www.gozdis.si