Position announcement for a PhD student

The research area: Intra-annual agreement and synchrony between woody carbon sequestration and eddy covariance estimates of net ecosystem productivity in a heterogeneous open woodland ecosystem (1 position)

Research programme: P4-0430 - Forest-wood value chain and climate change: transition to circular bioeconomy, head dr. Jožica Gričar

Supervisor: dr. Jožica Gričar

(https://www.gozdis.si/Department-of-Forest-Physiology-and-Genetics-contact/Jozica-Gricar_1/)

Research Field: Forest Biology and Ecology; Modeling in Forest Biology and Ecology

Research Topic

The focus of the young researcher will be to check the agreement and synchrony between woody carbon sequestration and eddy covariance estimates of net ecosystem productivity for an open woodland ecosystem located in the Sub-Mediterranean region in Slovenia for the period 2014–2024. Four dominant tree species in the area will be selected for analyses of intra-annual growth and woody biomass assessments: Quercus pubescens, Pinus nigra, Fraxinusornus and Ostrya carpinifolia. The samples for analysing the seasonal growth of these tree species have already been collected. Thus, the results will supplement our knowledge on: (i) radial growth patterns (i.e. xylem and phloem formation) of the study trees species from the (sub)Mediterranean area, also in relation to leaf phenology and local environmental conditions; (ii) an exact timing of when and how carbon is sequestered into the wood and bark during the growing season of the study tree species, and (iii) a more comprehensive understanding of carbon sequestration in woody biomass.

The candidate will work in the Laboratory of Wood Anatomy in the Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics at the Slovenian Forestry Institute. The main research interest of the Laboratory for Wood Anatomy is tree biology and anatomy, also in relation to tree physiology, climate-growth interactions and wood properties (wood quality). In their research the members of the Laboratory use various microscopic techniques and image analysis systems for quantitative analyses of the structure of bark and wood of various tree species. The members of the Laboratory regularly collaborate with students from various studies and researchers from foreign research organizations.

Desired qualities of the candidate:

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with a Master's degree in forestry, wood science and technology, agronomy, biology, geography or related fields. The candidate should be curious, willing to learn new skills, visit foreign research institutions for short term periods and participate in international conferences. The candidate should be able to work both independently and in a team with members of the Slovenian Forestry Institute and other domestic and foreign research groups. Knowledge of English is desirable. Data will be processed in specialized programs (e.g. image analysis systems, ROXAS), the R programming environment and in general programs for editing texts, preparing diagrams and data. The candidate will have opportunity for further education and training.

For further professional and technical questions, candidates can contact the supervisor, dr. Jožica Gričar, jozica.gricar@gozdis.si. Details of the call for applications can be found on the GIS website: https://www.gozdis.si/informacije-javnega-znacaja/zaposlitev/.