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<mailto: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-Ap…
Dr. Marjana Westergren, univ. dipl. inž. gozd / For. Eng.
Znanstvena sodelavka / Research fellow
[Text Description automatically generated with low confidence]
Večna pot 2, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
Telefon/Phone: +386 (0)1 200 78 54
E-mail: marjana.westergren@gozdis.si<mailto:marjana.westergren@gozdis.si> /
www.gozdis.si<http://www.gozdis.si>