- JOB
- Slovenia
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Department
- Institute for Anthropological and Spatial Studies
- Research Field
- History » ArchaeologyEnvironmental science » Earth scienceGeosciencesGeography
- Researcher Profile
- Recognised Researcher (R2)
- Positions
- Postdoc Positions
- Country
- Slovenia
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Hours Per Week
- 40
- Offer Starting Date
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Horizon Europe - ERC
- Reference Number
- Horizon Europe / ERC
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
We invite applications for a fully funded, full-time, 3-year postdoctoral position in the context of an ERC Consolidator Grant (101089123) project, led by Dr Saša Čaval and titled: “Unde venis?” Unravelling the enigma of the stećci tombstones (STONE). The ERC Consolidator Grant is a highly competitive and esteemed funding scheme, and this position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge research project.
The successful candidate will be based at the Institute for Anthropological and Spatial Studies at ZRC SAZU in Ljubljana, which hosts Čaval’s ERC-funded project. They will be integrated into the research group and exposed to a dynamic, international, and highly productive research environment, providing an exciting and motivating setting for their postdoctoral work.
Further details about the research topic
The STONE project aims to study medieval stećci, a material culture that developed on the territory of the Western Balkans between the 12th and 16th centuries AD. STONE project focuses on the Western Balkans’ medieval plurality and social worlds embodied in the stećci tombstones. The core of the project consists of five thematic objectives, which examine key questions relating to undiscovered lived space, the reuse of prehistoric burial spaces and persistence of a specific type of ancient economy, artistic craftmanship with cultural nuances of stećci communiqué, and social memories and identities embedded within these tombstones. Corresponding work packages will address these objectives. The postdoctoral candidate will undertake research related to a Work Package on detecting the associated settlements, led by Dr Žiga Kokalj, and contribute to all other WPs of the project. The successful candidate will participate in and/or independently work on remote sensing, preparing and processing the ALS data, and participate in fieldwork in different areas of the Western Balkans.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Interpret airborne laser scanning data.
- Apply state-of-the-art geospatial techniques and deep learning models.
- Generate, work on, update, and archive large-scale spatial databases.
- Demonstrate adaptability and fieldwork skills by leading or participating in ground-truthing of remote sensing data.
- Examine the spatial dynamic of medieval land use.
- Independently process airborne laser scanning data and other spatial data, improve the code for computing visualisations, and help with dissemination in other work packages.
- Provide logistical and administrative support, showing commitment to the team’s success.
- Update the project’s website and social media accounts and contribute to the project’s visibility by participating in and helping organise scientific events.
- Attend seminars and conferences organised within the framework of the ERC project.
- Publish two peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals.
The successful candidate will be under the direct supervision of Dr Žiga Kokalj (https://iaps.zrc-sazu.si/en/sodelavci/ziga-kokalj-en) and will be co-supervised by the project’s PI Dr Saša Čaval (https://iaps.zrc-sazu.si/en/sodelavci/sasa-caval-en).
Where to apply
- urska.strazisar@zrc-sazu.si
Requirements
- Research Field
- Environmental science » Earth science
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
- Research Field
- Geography
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
- Research Field
- Geosciences
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
- Research Field
- History » Archaeology
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Requirements:
- A PhD degree in Spatial Studies, Geography, Environmental science, Earth science, or Archaeology.
- At least three years of working experience in the field.
- Demonstrable extensive experience in the use of geographic information systems for landscape studies and deep learning.
- Experience in developing apps for deep learning applications.
- Experience in developing deep learning models.
- Experience in remote sensing techniques.
- Excellent proficiency in Python and MATLAB programming skills for spatial analysis.
- Excellent oral and written English.
- Advanced understanding of Bosnian language.
- A driver’s license (B).
In addition to the requirements, candidates with the following qualifications will be given preference:
- A candidate should be able to work as part of a team and be apt to work in a multi-skills and multi-domain environment to develop cooperation and mutual understanding.
- A candidate should also be highly self-motivated and show initiative.
- While knowledge of Serbian Cyrillic is not required, the successful candidate will be encouraged to acquire minimal competence in reading the script to participate in locally organised events.
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
- Languages
- BOSNIAN
- Level
- Good
- Research Field
- History » ArchaeologyGeographyGeosciencesEnvironmental science » Earth science
- Years of Research Experience
- 1 - 4
Additional Information
The postdoctoral fellow position is a fixed-term appointment for three (3) years at the ZRC SAZU. Its primary objective is to qualify the candidate for work in top academic positions. It is a fixed-term, full-time contract with a gross annual value of approximately EUR 41,600, with additional travel to work and meal allowance.
The successful candidate will have a working space in a shared office with other team members at the ZRC SAZU in Ljubljana, in the institution’s main building in the old town centre.
- A PhD degree in Spatial Studies, Geography, Environmental science, Earth science, or Archaeology.
- At least three years of working experience in the field.
- Demonstrable extensive experience in the use of geographic information systems for landscape
studies and deep learning.
Applications
Please ensure you include the following documents with your application:
- A photocopy of your ID card or passport
- A copy of your academic qualification (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Slovenian or English
- An academic curriculum vitae (1-2 pages)
- A brief account of your research interests (1 page) and a letter of motivation (1 page)
- A summary of your PhD thesis (1 page)
- A copy of your published or unpublished scientific research paper
- Recommendation letters from two academic referees, along with their names and contact information (they may be contacted if necessary).
Selection process
The selection process will be divided into two phases.
The first phase will consist of an evaluation of the merits of each candidate, an evaluation for which the candidates’ presence will not be necessary. The evaluation of applications will be based on the following criteria (a total of 35 points):
- Demonstrable experience in the use of geographic information systems for spatial studies (up to 5 points).
- Demonstrable experience in developing apps for deep learning applications (up to 5 points).
- Understanding and user experience in the use of deep learning models (up to 5 points).
- Advanced knowledge and experience in working with spatial data and databases and lidar data processing and analysis (up to 5 points).
- Demonstrable experience in other remote sensing techniques (e.g. processing aerial and satellite data) (up to 5 points).
- Demonstrable proficiency in Python and MATLAB programming skills for spatial analysis (up to 5 points).
- Excellent command of English and Bosnian (up to 5 points).
Candidates who achieve a minimum score of 25 in the initial stage will be invited to the second stage, which includes a personal interview and is in itself worth a total of 35 points.
Information
If you have questions about the project or the position, please do not hesitate to contact either Dr Kokalj (zkokalj@zrc-sazu.si) or Dr Čaval (scaval@zrc-sazu.si).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
ZRC SAZU promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and ensuring that all applicants are respected and valued for their unique skills and experiences.
The ZRC SAZU has implemented the European Charter for Researchers. The institution, along with its researchers and employees, adheres to the principles set out in the EU Commission’s Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Institute for Anthropological and Spatial Studies
- Country
- Slovenia
- City
- Ljubljana
- Postal Code
- 1000
- Street
- Novi trg 2
- Geofield
Contact
- City
- Ljubljana
- Website
- Street
- 2, Novi trg
- Postal Code
- 1000
- urska.strazisar@zrc-sazu.si