Project: Rainfall-Induced Herbaceous Vegetated Slope Instability and Risk Assessment (RHVIRA)

Funding: National Science Centre (NCN), Poland

Program: SHENG4

Institution: Institute of Hydro-Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences

Project Leader: Dr inż. Barbara Maria Świtała

Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term employment contract

Duration: Up to 24 months

Planned Start Date: July 2026

Annual Salary: according to NCN regulations

Position Description

The postdoctoral researcher will be, alongside the project leader, a key contributor to an interdisciplinary research project integrating geotechnics, eco‑engineering, hydrology, and artificial intelligence. The main research tasks will focus on constitutive modelling of root‑reinforced soils, numerical simulations, and risk‑assessment analyses related to the stability of vegetated slopes subjected to intense rainfall. The postdoctoral researcher will also support the interpretation and post‑processing of results from photoelastic experiments on root‑reinforced transparent soils, working in close collaboration with other members of the research team.

Scope of research

• Strong contribution in developing and validating advanced hydro‑mechanical constitutive models for root‑reinforced soils.
• Integrating root reinforcement effects and evapotranspiration processes into slope stability analyses (Finite Element Methods, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics).
• Co‑developing machine‑learning‑based predictive models for landslide risk assessment.
• Contributing to the post‑processing and interpretation of images from photoelastic experiments.
• Writing scientific papers and publishing research results in high‑impact international journals.
• Engaging in international collaboration (including research visits at Wuhan University).
• Participating in international scientific conferences.

Requirements

• PhD in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering or a closely related field.
• The candidate must meet the eligibility criteria specified in the NCN regulations, regarding full time employment for postdoctoral researchers.
• Documented publication record in JCR‑listed international journals.
• Experience in numerical modelling (e.g., FEM, slope stability analysis).
• Programming skills (e.g. Python, Matlab).
• Solid understanding of soil mechanics and/or flow in porous media.
• Very good command of English, both written and spoken.

Additional Assets

• Experience in vegetation‑related or bio‑geotechnical research.
• Skills in image analysis and interpretation.
• Knowledge of machine‑learning methods.
• Experience in risk‑assessment analyses.
• Experience in international research projects or collaborations.
• Strong scientific writing and presentation skills.

We Offer

• Full time employment
• Participation in an innovative, interdisciplinary research project.
• Competitive salary in accordance with NCN funding rules.
• Opportunities for scientific development and publication in high-impact journals.
• Access to the research infrastructure of the Institute of Hydro-Engineering, PAS.
• Research visits in University of Wuhan.
• Support in developing an international scientific career.

To apply

Please send the following documents to b.switala@ibwpan.gda.pl:

1. CV with a list of publications and the following statement: “I hereby give my consent for the processing of my personal data included in my application documents by the Institute of Hydro-Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation) for the purposes of the recruitment process.”

2. Cover letter describing the research interests (max 1 page A4).

3. Copy of a PhD diploma

4. The contact information (name, position, email, institutional affiliation) of 1 to 2 references that might be contacted.

Deadline for applications: 10 March 2026.