Quercus rubra ), and native sessile oak ( Quercus petraea ) with non-native black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ). By combining long-term tree-ring records, quantitative wood anatomy and field observations, the project assesses how mature trees respond to drought, heat and late frost, complemented by controlled seedling experiments and updated species distribution models to improve predictions of future forest composition and function.
The intern will contribute to the quantitative wood anatomy strand of this work, joining our Laboratory for Wood Anatomy and taking part in the full workflow of anatomical sample preparation and analysis.
What you will do
- Prepare wood microsections, including cutting thin sections on a microtome
- Carry out the associated wood-anatomy laboratory procedures: sample preparation, staining, and mounting of permanent slides
- At a later stage, contribute to quantitative wood-anatomical measurements on the prepared sections
You will be trained on each step and work closely with our team, with the opportunity to build a solid, transferable set of laboratory skills in wood anatomy.
Who we are looking for
This placement will suit someone who genuinely enjoys careful, hands-on laboratory work. The ideal candidate is:
- Enthusiastic about wood anatomy and laboratory research
- Highly accurate, precise, and attentive to detail
- Patient and methodical, comfortable with delicate, repetitive preparation work
- Able and willing to spend their working time in the laboratory
The internship is well suited to students in forestry, wood science, biology, botany, environmental sciences, or related fields. No prior experience with the specific techniques is required — a careful hand and the motivation to learn matter most.
Duration and period
The internship lasts between 2 and 6 months, with the earliest possible start on 1 October 2026. The exact duration and start date are negotiable within this range, depending on your study requirements and Erasmus+ arrangement. (Note that Erasmus+ traineeships must last at least two months to be eligible for funding.)
What we offer
- Full training and close mentoring in wood-anatomy laboratory techniques throughout the placement
- A defined role within an active, EU-funded research project (COEXIST)
- All practical information and guidance you need to organise your stay in Ljubljana
Please note that this is a hosting placement: we are not able to provide a salary, financial top-up, or accommodation. Your Erasmus+ grant is intended to cover your living costs during the traineeship.
Eligibility and funding — please read carefully
This is a hosting offer, not a funded position. The successful candidate must be enrolled at (or a recent graduate of) a higher education institution holding an Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education, and must obtain an Erasmus+ traineeship grant through their home university's International/Erasmus office. The Slovenian Forestry Institute provides the host placement and mentoring; the Erasmus+ grant itself is arranged by the candidate with their home institution. Please confirm your eligibility and funding with your Erasmus office before applying.
How to apply
Please send a short CV and a brief motivation letter to Jernej Jevšenak (jernej.jevsenak@gozdis.si). Informal enquiries about the placement are very welcome — if you are interested but need more lead time to arrange your Erasmus+ paperwork, please get in touch early. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
