PhD in Forest Sciences – Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Key details

• Host institution: Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Location: Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Parkowa 5, Kórnik, Poland
• Application deadline: August 17, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

We are seeking a motivated doctoral student to join a research project on the variability among European beech populations in terms of growth response to climate change, quantitative genetics, dendroclimatology, dendroecology, and genetic variation.

Position Details

• Position type: Doctoral student
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Discipline: Forest sciences
• Application deadline: 17/08/2026
• Institution: Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Principal Investigator: dr hab. Daniel J. Chmura, prof. ID PAN, Institute of Dendrology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kórnik

Project Description

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a widespread tree species and an important component of forests in Western and Central Europe. Current and projected climate changes pose several risks to beech in the future. Climate is one of the factors that determine growing conditions for tree populations. Local populations within the species often differ in their ability to adapt to new climatic conditions. However, assessing this variation in local environments does not allow investigation of the genetic component of this response. This is only possible in common garden (provenance) experiments, where variation in traits among multiple populations planted together under uniform site conditions can be studied in relation to the environment. The aim of this project is to understand and analyze the responsiveness, vulnerability, and plasticity of European beech populations to climate change and to assess their adaptive capacity. We aim to provide scientific support for projections of the species’ fate and for the management of its genetic resources in the context of ongoing environmental changes.

In this project, we will focus our research on a set of beech populations covering a large part of the natural range of the species. These populations have been planted at different sites in common garden experiments, representing various climatic conditions, and specifically the sites at the eastern limit of the species distribution range. We will measure tree diameter and height growth, and assess the responsiveness of beech populations to climate change by analyzing the relationship between annual tree-ring widths and climatic conditions at various locations in Europe. We will also analyze wood anatomy of individual tree rings as well as their stable carbon isotope composition to gain insight into the foundations of growth in relation to climatic fluctuations, especially drought events. The analysis of variation in genomic regions related to stress response and phenology will provide insight into adaptive potential of populations. We will also model the growth responses of beech populations to climate change based on the sensitivity of their radial growth to climate transfer across a series of common garden experimental sites.

The outcomes of our project will be crucial for understanding the response of beech populations and their potential to adapt to future climate. We expect to provide the basis for selecting seed origins that can be considered the sources of populations that are better adapted to future climatic conditions.

PhD Student Tasks

• Active participation in project tasks, including measurements at forest experimental plots and other fieldwork, collecting dendrochronological samples and material for genetic analyses, laboratory processing of samples, dendrochronological analyses, quantitative wood analysis, data interpretation, preparing samples for analyses of 13C isotope, statistical analysis of data, and interpretation of results
• Continuous advancement of knowledge in the scientific field of the project
• Active involvement in the preparation of academic publications to be included in the doctoral thesis and dissemination of results
• Presentation of results at scientific meetings, seminars, and conferences
• Preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation

We Offer

The opportunity to cooperate within an experienced research team in an atmosphere of open exchange of ideas. We provide support in conducting work based on the latest research trends and experience in publishing research results in leading scientific journals.

Recruitment Information

Detailed information about the recruitment process can be found on the websites: https://www.idpan.poznan.pl/en-us/recruitment and https://psd-ipan.ichb.pl/index.php/en/home/