Doctoral Student (PhD Position) – Sustainable Forest Management

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: PhD Positions Application Deadline: 10 Dec 2026 - 15:00 (UTC) Country: Poland Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 40 Offer Starting Date: 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description I. Position type: doctoral student II. Number of vacancies: 1 III. Discipline: Forest Science IV. Application deadline: 10/12/2026 V. Detailed information about recruitment process can be found on the website: https://www.idpan.poznan.pl/en-us/recruitment and https://psd-ipan.ichb.pl/index.php/en/home/ VI. Research topic: Sustainable Forest Management VII. Principal Investigator / Research group: Dr. Francesco Latterini VIII. Project Description: Forests face increasing demands for sustainable management, yet the forestry sector is overwhelmingly focused on digitalisation and heavy mechanisation. This overlooks a practice that has been part of European forestry for centuries, animal logging. Horses, mules, and oxen remain vital in many regions due to their ability to work in steep, fragmented, or ecologically sensitive areas with lower carbon emissions and cultural value preservation. However, without innovation, animal logging risks disappearing, despite its environmental and socio-economic benefits. The AniLog project proposes a pioneering approach to revitalise animal logging by integrating it with modern forestry technologies and practices. Through three representative case studies in Italy, Switzerland/Germany, and Poland, AniLog will: (1) develop and test a prototype “smart” pack saddle equipped with scales, GPS, and traceability tools to improve efficiency, animal welfare, and integration with mechanised systems; (2) directly compare the sustainability and competitiveness of horse logging against emerging low-impact mechanised alternatives such as mini forestry crawlers; and (3) introduce soil trafficability mapping as a planning tool to further reduce ecological disturbance in sensitive areas. By combining applied research, innovation, and strong stakeholder involvement, AniLog will deliver practical guidelines, prototypes, demonstration events, and peer-reviewed publications. Its outputs will provide forest managers and practitioners with evidence-based tools to modernise animal logging, making it a viable and attractive option within contemporary wood supply chains. AniLog is not about preserving a relic of the past, but about transforming animal logging into a forward-looking solution that meets ecological, economic, and cultural needs. By bridging tradition and innovation, this project has the potential to redefine sustainable forestry in Europe and beyond, ensuring that animal logging evolves into a symbol of modern, effective, and environmentally responsible forest management. The PhD student's tasks will include: Support in data collection, data analysis, dissemination activities (scientific publications and conferences) and in the organisation of the demo-days and workshops. The research will be conducted in the framework of an international research project with partners from Italy and Switzerland. The PhD student will take part, apart than in the field surveys, in dedicated short term scientific missions to the partner Institutes (WSL in Switzerland, University of Tuscia and CNR-IBE in Italy) to acquire further knowledge in specific research topics such as: LCA in forest operations, time-motion studies and post-harvest disturbance assessment. Where to apply E-mail: psd.idpan@man.poznan.pl Requirements Research Field: Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications Master degree in discipline of forest sciences, biological sciences, Earth and environment sciences or related or meeting the conditions specified in art. 186 section 2 of the Act of July 20, 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science (Dz. U. z 2018 r., poz. 1668 z późn. zm.). It is possible to apply before the defense of the master’s thesis (see also point XI.2 below). Very good skills in spoken and written English to allow good communication (at least on B2 level or IELTS), work with literature sources, prepare scientific papers, and present at international conferences. Willingness to travel abroad and to collaborate not only with scientific partners but also with other stakeholders such as foresters, loggers and managers. Specific knowledge and expertise in forest soil microarthropod biodiversity and in the application of remote sensing to forest science will be regarded as an additional qualification and positively evaluated during the selection process. Driving license is recommended but not mandatory. Specific Requirements The candidate’s academic accomplishments, based on grades attained during studies, scientific and popular science publications, scholarships, awards and distinctions resulting from research or student activity, and other achievements. The candidate’s academic and professional experience, based on participation in conferences, workshops, training courses and internships, participation in research and commercial projects, involvement in scientific groups and associations, international and professional mobility, and experience in other fields. Candidate's knowledge in the forest science discipline. Knowledge of the topics listed in the recruitment notice. Languages: ENGLISH Level: Good Research Field: Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences Additional Information Benefits Research and doctoral dissertation will be conducted under research project: AniLog – Bridging traditional animal logging and modern forestry needs (Project No. 2527). The PhD candidate will receive a doctoral scholarship for the entire duration of the doctoral project, i.e. 48 months. The monthly scholarship is approximately PLN 4,270.00 gross (approximately PLN 3,790.00 net). Following a positive mid-term evaluation, the scholarship is increased to approximately PLN 5,500.50 gross (approximately PLN 4,880.00 net) per month. The doctoral student will have the social insurance costs referred to in art. 6 clause 1 point 7b of the Act of October 13, 1998 on the social insurance system (Dz. U. z 2019 r. poz. 300, 303 i 730). Selection process Required documents: An application for admission to PDS IPAS, including consent for the processing of personal data for the purposes of the recruitment procedure, and a declaration of familiarity with these rules - the current application form is available at https://www.idpan.poznan.pl/en-us/recruitment . Applications submitted without the above-mentioned consent will not be considered. A copy of the degree certificate confirming graduation or a certificate of graduation; in the case of degree certificates issued by foreign higher education institutions, the certificate referred to in Article 326(2)(2) or Article 327(2) of the Act, giving the right to seek to obtain a doctoral degree in the country under whose higher education system the issuing institution operates. A candidate who does not have the aforementioned documents (e.g. before the defense of master’s thesis) will be obliged to supply them before being admitted to PDS IPAS. Additional information on foreign diplomas is available on the website: https://nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/recognition-for-academic-purposes/applying-for-admission-to-doctoral-studies A curriculum vitae showing previous education and employment, information on involvement in scientific activity (membership of student scientific groups, participation in scientific conferences, completed internships and training courses, prizes and distinctions received) a list of publications. A motivation letter, containing a short description of interests, scientific accomplishments, and reasons for wishing to study at the doctoral school. Certificates or other documents confirming the candidate’s knowledge of English, if the candidate has such. Contact details of at least one previous academic supervisor or other academic employee who has agreed to provide an opinion regarding the candidate. The application should be sent by e-mail to the address psd.idpan@man.poznan.pl with the subject "Competition for the position of doctoral student No. 21/2026/ID/PSD" in the form of an pdf attachment. If sending by electronic means is not possible, applications sent to the address Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035 Kórnik, Poland with the note on the envelope "Competition for the position of doctoral student No. 21/2026/ID/PSD" are also accepted. Please do not send original documents. Application deadline: 10/12/2026 The incomplete applications or those filed after the application deadline will not be considered. Additional comments Competition results: until 31/12/2026 A description of the recruitment process can be found in the Recruitment Regulations for PDS IPAS. After the recruitment is completed, unaccepted candidates will be informed of the scores obtained at each stage of the competition. Admission to PDS IPAS is refused by administrative procedure. The decision may be appealed with to the Director of the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Additional information may be provided Principal Investigator / Research group: Dr. Francesco Latterini, latterini@man.poznan.pl , tel. 61 8170 033 Website for additional job details: http://www.idpan.poznan.pl/ Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences Country: Poland State/Province: wielkopolskie City: Kórnik Postal Code: 62-035 Street: Parkowa 5 Contact State/Province: wielkopolskie City: Kórnik Website: http://www.idpan.poznan.pl/ Street: ul. Parkowa 5 Postal Code: 62-035 Kórnik E-Mail: psd.idpan@man.poznan.pl Phone: 618170033