Postdoctoral Researcher in Agricultural Sciences (# of pos: 2)

Rector of SUA opens a call for 2 research postdoctoral posts. 

Eligible applicants for the postdoctoral post are persons who have completed PhD. study at the university or research institution no later than five years before starting postdoctoral post.

Application deadline: 1/11/2021

Offer starting date: 1/12/2021 or negotiable

Employment contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension to 3 years

The basic tariff salary is determined according to the number of years of experience starting from 1,079 EUR.

Applicants for this post must professionally profile themselves to the topic of the postdoctoral post: 

Influence of climatic change on the bionomics of pests of cultural plants that started to be important due to the effect of global increase of temperature and proposal for actions emphasising biological control methods

Links to research project:

Postdoctoral position is connected with activities in running project „SMARTFARM (2019-2023)“, especially with work on the activity No. 3 „Systems of management conserving biodiversity and reduction of the effect of climatic change“.

Supervisor: prof. Ing. Ľudovít Cagáň, CSc., e-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Contact: The AgroBioTech Research Centre of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia

Brief introduction to the research topic:

The topic is oriented to identification of potential application of nonchemical control methods against the pest of apple tree. The study will be oriented especially to utilisation of entomopathogenic fungi or bacteria, predators and parasitoids. Next possibility will be the use of repellent, insecticide and acaricide effect of plant essential oils, or repellent effect fresh tissues of selected plant species. On the basis of experiments it will be evaluated the application of methods in practical technologies of pest control in apple orchards.

Objective of the research project:

Basic aim of postdoctoral research work is the analysis of impact of climatic change on the occurrence of apple pests, definition of the effectiveness of nonchemical and biological control methods with the orientation to parasitoids, predators and entomopathogens.

Description of the professional content of the postdoctoral post:

Expert specification: Study and identification of species spectrum and methods of its quantification, statistical analysis, preparation and publication of scientific papers.

Knowledge of methodology: Skill in field of plant protection, especially in agricultural entomology and acarology, mathematical and statistical knowledge, orientation in databases and good knowledge of English language.

Publication outputs during the postdoctoral study: Minimum one paper Q2 (WoS).

Other requirements: M oral integrity and good work ethic.

Selection process:

In the first round, selection committee appointed by the Rector will assess submitted applications in accordance with required conditions and documents defined in this call. Applicants who have not met defined requirements of this call do not advance to the second round.

The second round means interview in Slovak or English. Applicants will present their vision, research proposal and professional suitability with the post offered in the maximum 10-minute presentation. Presentation will be in the form of guided interview between the applicants and members of the selection committee.

Selection committee will determine the overall ranking of applicants. The final decision on selection process will be issued by the Rector of the University.

Application for the postdoctoral post includes the following documents submitted in Slovak or English:

• Written request to apply for this post
• Letter of motivation
• Project proposal
• CV emphasising scientific research activities relevant to the topic
• Basic scientometric indicators of the applicant (list of publications with emphasis on works indexed in WOS and SCOPUS and journal works, overview of citations, patent activity, transfer of knowledge into practice, studio/atelier activities)
• List of research grants/projects and brief description of the most significant results achieved
• List of completed internships (advantage)
• 1 letter of recommendation
• Other information, if any, illustrating the applicant's professional profile
• Certified copies of diplomas of the second and third degree studies (master and PhD.)
• Certified copy of an extract from the judicial record not older than 3 months

How to apply:

Send your application by mail to

Reference number UP-2021-108

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

Human Resources Unit

Tr. A. Hlinku 2

949 76 Nitra

Slovak Republic

Additional admin info: [email protected]

Additional research info:  [email protected] ; [email protected]