Call for Applications: PhD Scholarship Holder at the Department of Hydrobiology and Ecosystem Protection, University of Life Sciences in Lublin

Position Title: PhD Scholarship Holder

Eligibility Requirements:

1. A Master’s or Master of Engineering degree in environmental protection, environmental engineering, spatial management, landscape architecture, geoinformatics, urban planning, or a related field.
2. The candidate must apply for admission to a Doctoral School for the academic year 2025/2026 in the discipline of Environmental Engineering, Mining and Energy, and obtain the status of a doctoral student.
3. English language proficiency at a minimum of B2 level, confirmed by a certificate, diploma supplement, or a declaration from the candidate attesting to their ability to participate in project meetings, write scientific publications, and conduct teaching activities in English.
4. Proficiency in GIS software for conducting spatial analyses and operating online platforms.
5. Availability for short-term international travel.
6. General competencies: commitment and strong motivation to conduct scientific research, excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team, and creative thinking.
7. Desirable qualifications:
   • Scientific achievements in the fields of environmental protection, environmental engineering, spatial management, or related areas;
   • Scientific internships and international trips related to conducting research;
   • Experience in cooperation with local government units in matters related to environmental protection, environmental engineering, spatial planning, or related fields;
   • Knowledge of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and urban planning issues.

Task Desciption:
As part of the research activities carried out within the international BiodivNBS project entitled “Enhancing Urban Sustainability for Environmental Quality and Human Well-being through Nature-Based Solutions Transformation Labs”, the scholarship holder will be responsible for:

1. Conducting scientific research on the sustainable development of European cities through the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
2. Analyzing data on the effectiveness of various types of NBS implemented in selected European cities.
3. Processing research results and reviewing relevant scientific literature.
4. Actively participating in national and international conferences.
5. Attending international project meetings and conducting site visits in selected European countries.
6. Preparing scientific publications.

Project web-site: NatureScape project  About – NatureScape 

For further information regarding the position, please contact
PhD Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz, associate professor, via email: barbara.swierkosz@up.lublin.pl

NCN Competition Type:
International Biodiversa+ project under the BiodivNBS call (Nature-Based Solutions for biodiversity, human well-being and transformative change)

Application deadline: July 11^th 2025
Application format: via email

Terms of Engagement:
A research scholarship of PLN 5,000 gross-gross/month will be awarded for a period of 30 months. After this period, the scholarship will be continued until the completion of the doctoral education in accordance with the Act of 20 July 2018. – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws, item 1668, as amended), Article 209(4).

Expected start date of the project: October 1st, 2025

Required Documents:

1. Application letter addressed to PhD Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz, associate professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Environmental Biology, Department of Hydrobiology and Ecosystem Protection, Doświadczalna 37 street , 20-280 Lublin, Poland.
   The following clause must be included in the application letter:
   “I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in my job application for the purposes necessary for the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016, and the Act of 10 May 2018 on the Protection of Personal Data (Journal of Laws of 24 May 2018, item 1000), and in accordance with the information clause attached to my consent.”
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Confirmation of obtaining a Master’s degree, including the grade point average from all completed higher education studies (as presented in the diploma supplement).
4. Proof of English language proficiency at the B2 level (e.g. certificate, diploma supplement) or a candidate’s declaration confirming such proficiency.
5. Documents confirming proficiency in GIS software (e.g. certificate, diploma supplement).
6. Contact details of referees who may be asked to provide references.
7. Documents confirming previous scientific activity (if available), especially: list of publications, participation in research projects, academic conferences, awards and distinctions, completed internships (domestic and international), involvement in student research groups.
8. Other documents the candidate considers relevant to their application.

Additional Information:
Candidates who meet the formal requirements and the project-specific criteria (as listed in the ranking) will be required to apply for admission to the Doctoral School at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin in the scientific discipline Environmental Engineering, Mining and Energy, in accordance with the recruitment schedule and regulations Admission | Doctoral School.

Application documents should be submitted via email to: barbara.swierkosz@up.lublin.pl
Please include the subject line: NCN SCHOLARSHIP PhD STUDENT COMPETITION.

Information Clause:
The Data Controller is the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, with its registered office at ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland. Your personal data will be processed by the Data Controller for the purpose of contract implementation in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR).Personal data will be used solely for purposes related to the recruitment process, based on the candidate’s consent and in accordance with the legitimate interests of the Data Controller (Article 6(1)(a) and (f) of the GDPR). You have the right to access your data and to have it rectified. The personal data provided to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin will not be shared, sold, or leased to third parties unless: there is explicit consent from the data subject, or the data is disclosed to authorized bodies pursuant to applicable laws. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority if you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016.