PhD position in forest ecology and remote sensing (Slovakia)
The Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Forest Ecology
The Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is a leading Slovak research institution focused on forest ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change impacts, and sustainable forest management. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research combining ecology, forestry, environmental sciences, remote sensing, and spatial modelling to better understand forest dynamics and disturbances in Central European landscapes. Researchers collaborate with national and international partners on projects related to forest health, ecosystem resilience, and environmental monitoring using advanced geospatial and Earth observation technologies.
The PhD position is hosted by the Forest Disturbance Ecology Team at the Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences. The team conducts interdisciplinary research on forest health, insect outbreaks, climate change impacts, and ecosystem resilience, with a strong focus on remote sensing, GIS, spatial ecology, and advanced geospatial analysis. Research activities combine field ecology with satellite, UAV, and aerial data to better understand disturbance dynamics in European forest ecosystems.
The team coordinated the Horizon Europe networking project RESDiNET (Remote Sensing-based Disturbance Ecology Network), which strengthened collaboration between the Institute of Forest Ecology SAS and leading European institutions, including the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, the University of Eastern Finland, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The project focused on developing innovative remote sensing approaches for monitoring bark beetle disturbances and forest health across mountain and boreal forests in Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden.
RESDiNET integrated satellite observations, UAV and drone imagery, field measurements, and machine learning approaches, including deep learning and AI-based image analysis, to improve early detection and risk assessment of bark beetle infestations. Although the project has formally concluded, its scientific collaborations, international network, and research activities continue through ongoing cooperation and follow-up initiatives in forest disturbance ecology and Earth observation research.
Homepage: https://resdinet.eu
Energy, Resources and the Environment (ERE)
The Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Forest Ecology, invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Forest Ecology.
PhD topic: Spatial spreading of bark beetle infestations in spruce stands in relation to their health status
The project focuses on modelling bark beetle spread in Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests using time series of satellite and aerial remote sensing data. The successful candidate will analyse spatial and temporal patterns of forest health and bark beetle outbreaks in a GIS environment.
Requirements
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in forestry, remote sensing, GIS, ecology, or a related field.
Required skills:
- Python and/or R
- Statistical analysis and ecological modelling
- ENVI and GIS/remote sensing software
Experience with UAV/drone operation is an advantage.
Supervisors
- Ing. Rastislav Jakuš, DrSc.
- Ing. Miroslav Blaženec, PhD.
Offer
- Full-time 4-year PhD position
- Competitive salary according to Slovak academic standards
- Research in forest disturbance ecology, remote sensing, and spatial modelling
Location: Zvolen, Slovakia
For enquiries, please contact:
Ing. Rastislav Jakuš, DrSc.
Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences
rasti.jakus[at]gmail.com