Open postdoc positions for beamline scientists at UP IAM
Application deadline: 30th of June 2026
Expected start date: 1st of September 2026 or earlier
The University of Primorska, in collaboration with InnoRenew CoE and UP IAM, is seeking dynamic and motivated candidates to work at the new high-brilliance SAXS beamline (HB-SAXS) located at Elettra 2.0, Triest (Italy).
The new high-brilliance SAXS beamline (HB-SAXS) is based on an in-vacuum undulator (IVU) and will cover a photon energy range from 4.5 to 17 keV with micrometric spot size and photon flux of >1012 photons/s. The scientific activity of the HB-SAXS beamline will extend the classical applications of the existing high-flux SAXS (HF-SAXS) beamline, and allow experiments in which high brilliance, small spot sizes and coherence are essential, such as, e.g., picosecond pump-probe experiments, 3D SAXS tensor tomography, X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, Pytchography and coherent SAXS imaging.
Formally, this position is classified as Research Fellow at the InnoRenew CoE, Andrej Marušič Institute. The selected scientisits will be actively involved in research activities, particularly within the framework of the research on beamlines with the Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. Their research duties will be determined in consultation with the department chair Andreja Kutnar and SAXS Beamlines group leader Sumea Klokic and may vary across academic years.
The candidates is expected and/or will be responsible for:
- Support the researchers of the InnoRenew CoE department in combining their research to synchrotron techniques, particularly the ones offered at the SAXS beamlines. This includes experimental and technical support prior and during beamtime shifts, data treatment and/or post-processing as well as support in proposal writing.
- Close collaboration with the SAXS Beamline group is expected, which is composed of scientists from University of Maribor, Technical University of Graz, and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, S.C.p.A..
- Develop their own research proposals and apply for funding.
Essential requirements/skills
- PhD degree in chemistry or related fields.
- At least 2 years of experience with research performed at synchrotrons.
- Ability to formulate and communicate new research ideas (e.g., research proposal preparation).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Fulfill the requirements for Research Fellow at the University of Primorska.
Required additional functional skills:
- knowledge of legislation in the field of research,
- computer skills,
- organizational skills,
- leadership skills
Desirable (but not mandatory) requirements/skills
- Previous experience with wood and other renewable materials.
- Experience in interdisciplinary research.
- Teaching experience at the university level.
Other desirable qualifications:
- valid election to the academic/scientific title, or meets the requirements for election to this title at University of Primorska.
General description of duties and tasks according to the field of work:
- management, organisation and planning of scientific-research work and of the development of the university and its members as a whole,
- independent research work, comprehensive focus on the research field, research and development of theories and methods for transferring theories into practice,
- establishment and maintenance of professional contacts with the research work users,
- linking research activities with domestic and foreign scientific-research institutions, organising scientific and professional consultation and participation in them,
- publishing quality scientific-research and professional works for the international and domestic professional public,
- mentoring, caring for education and development of people,
- participation in and management of professional bodies, joint projects and assignments and conducting,
- other assignments in line with supervisors’ orders.
What we offer:
- Time unlimited position with 4 months of trial period.
- Competitive salary with possible performance-based raises.
- Election to pedagogical title Assistant professor and further progress to Full Professor.
- Opportunity to participate in other ongoing projects of the institute.
Employment opportunities, admissions policies, activities, services, and the facilities of the InnoRenew CoE do not exclude any person based on race, color, age, sex, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. In processing your application, the GDPR will be respected and your information will not be shared outside of the relevant staff at the InnoRenew CoE and the University of Primorska. By submitting your application, you agree that the data you provide be reviewed by these organizations.
There will be two scientists hired.
How to apply:
The applicants should send:
- Curriculum vitae (including short descriptions of all prior educations, qualifications, and research or work experiences)
- Motivation letter for this position (maximum one A4 page)
- List of publications
to this email address: coe@innorenew.eu. In the title (subject) of your email please write: Open postdoc position for beamline scientists. All materials should be in English and submitted in PDF format no later than June 30, 2026.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about the research topic, please contact prof. dr. Andreja Kutnar (andreja.kutnar@innorenew.eu).
The InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, extend the application period, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
Learn how to apply at http://innorenew.eu/jobs.
Learn more about the InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM at http://innorenew.eu or by e-mailing: coe@innorenew.eu.
Open PhD position: Applying social science approaches to trust in science concept in sustainable construction
Application deadline: 1st of July 2026
Expected start date: 1st of October 2026
The employment relationship will be contracted for full-working time of 40 hours per week (100%), for a definite period of time of 36 months, with a three-month probationary period. The expected start date is October 1, 2026, or as agreed.
The University of Primorska and InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM are seeking a dynamic and motivated candidate to work on the department’s social science projects. The researcher will be employed at UP IAM and become a doctoral candidate at the University of Primorska – PhD study program Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments.
Goals and Tasks
The PhD research will aim to address, develop and empirically examine how trust in science shapes decision-making among the professional stakeholders in the built environment, and to assess whether participatory and educational interventions can strengthen trust and improve the uptake of scientific evidence in sustainable construction practices. In this project the alignment with national and European initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus (NEB) will be essential by addressing key challenges and translating sustainability and quality principles into everyday practices in the built environment. Additionally, the candidate will contribute to other projects at the department based on their skills and interests.
The candidate will be responsible for:
- conducting literature reviews and analysing secondary data to understand existing methodologies and challenges,
- assisting and performing in qualitative research (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (surveys),
- data collection, analysis and management (statistical analysis, qualitative coding, FAIR principles),
- supporting project management, communication, and data collection and sharing activities to ensure effective project implementation,
- disseminating research findings through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
Essential requirements/skills
- specialization based on a higher education qualification (previous system), a university-level higher education qualification (previous system), or a master’s degree in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, sustainability, communication, or other social science field; Statistics or data science or a related discipline,
- ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary international research environment,
- ability to formulate and communicate new research ideas (e.g., research proposal preparation),
- active knowledge of a foreign language,
- valid election to the academic/scientific title, or meets the requirements for election to this title at University of Primorska,
- competence with at least one statistical software package (e.g. R, SPSS, or similar),
- experience with data collection and data analysis,
- fulfil the requirements for doctoral students at the University of Primorska. For more details, see:
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/doctoral/renew-mat
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/enrolment
Required additional functional competencies:
- computer literacy,
- organisational skills,
- ability to work effectively in a team,
- independence,
- reliability.
Desirable (but not mandatory) requirements/skills
- advanced skills in data processing, analysis and visualization,
- prior experience with qualitative and quantitative social science research methods,
- prior experience with work on research projects,
- participatory and co-creation research experience,
- science communication background,
- background in environmental topics or related research.
General description of duties and responsibilities:
- participation in the development and implementation of domestic and international research projects, programmes, and tasks,
- research and processing of special issues in the field of operation, implementation of analyses, measurements and tests for the needs of the work area,
- writing papers and reports in the field of research and professional work,
- participation in scientific research and professional consultations and meetings,
- preparation, editing and archiving of project documentation,
- preparation of administrative and professional bases for the work of the internal organizational unit,
- participation in the work of professional bodies and in joint projects and tasks as agreed with the management,
- performance of other tasks as ordered by superiors.
What we offer:
- No Ph.D. tuition fee,
- Opportunity to participate in other ongoing projects of the institute.
How to apply:
The applicants should send:
- curriculum vitae (including short descriptions of all prior educations, qualifications, and research or work experiences),
- motivation letter for this doctoral position (maximum one A4 page),
- list of publications (if applicable).
to this email address: coe@innorenew.eu. In the title (subject) of your email please write: PhD position Trust in science. All materials should submitted in PDF format no later than July 1, 2026.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about the research topic, please contact prof. dr. Andreja Kutnar (andreja.kutnar@innorenew.eu) or dr. Lea Primožič (lea.primozic@innorenew.eu).
The InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, extend the application period, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
Learn how to apply at http://innorenew.eu/jobs.
Learn more about the InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM at http://innorenew.eu or by e-mailing: coe@innorenew.eu.
Open PhD position: Moisture-Activated Densified Wood Dowels for Adhesive-Free Timber Construction
Application deadline: 30th of June 2026
Expected start date: 1st of October 2026
The University of Primorska and InnoRenew CoE are seeking a dynamic and motivated candidate to work on a research project focused on the development of moisture-activated densified wood dowels for adhesive-free engineered wood products. The researcher will be employed at UP IAM and become a doctoral candidate at the University of Primorska – PhD study program Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments.
Goals and Tasks
The PhD research will aim to develop and evaluate self-tightening densified wooden dowels for adhesive-free timber assemblies, especially dowel-laminated timber and related engineered wood products. The project explores how thermo-hydro-mechanical densification, moisture-induced set-recovery, dowel geometry, and assembly tolerance can be used to improve joint tightness, long-term connection stability, and structural performance without the use of adhesives or metal fasteners.
In addition to experimental work, the PhD candidate will contribute to the development of predictive models describing the behaviour of densified wood dowels and dowel-based timber joints. These models will help connect material-level processes, such as densification, moisture uptake, swelling pressure, and set-recovery, with joint-level and element-scale performance. The modelling work may include statistical modelling, response-surface modelling, analytical modelling of dowel–timber interaction, and numerical simulations of moisture-dependent mechanical behaviour.
The candidate will contribute to a project that establishes process–structure–property relationships for moisture-activated densified wood dowels and links them to timber joint mechanics and element-scale performance. The work will include experimental development, material characterisation, mechanical testing, moisture-cycling studies, and statistical analysis.
The candidate will be responsible for:
- conducting literature reviews on densified wood, wood modification, wooden connectors, dowel-laminated timber, adhesive-free timber systems, moisture-dependent wood behaviour, and modelling approaches for timber connections,
- preparing and characterising thermo-hydro-mechanically densified wood dowels with controlled set-recovery and mechanical behaviour,
- applying design of experiments, response-surface methodology, regression models, mixed-effects models, or other suitable modelling approaches to identify key parameters and optimise dowel design,
- preparing timber-to-timber joint specimens and evaluating their withdrawal, push-out, slip, and double-shear performance,
- supporting the manufacture and testing of dowel-laminated timber prototypes assembled with densified wood dowels,
- investigating the durability of the developed connection system under moisture cycling and selected thermal exposure conditions,
- supporting project management, data management, reporting, open science activities, and communication of project results,
- disseminating research findings through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
Essential requirements/skills:
- specialization based on a higher education qualification (previous system), a university-level higher education qualification (previous system), or a master’s degree in fields such as Wood Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Forestry, Renewable Materials, or a related discipline,
- ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary international research environment,
- ability to formulate and communicate new research ideas (e.g., research proposal preparation),
- active knowledge of a foreign language,
- valid election to the academic/scientific title, or meets the requirements for election to this title at University of Primorska,
- fulfil the requirements for doctoral students at the University of Primorska. For more details, see:
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/doctoral/renew-mat
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/enrolment.
Required additional functional competencies:
- computer literacy,
- organisational skills,
- ability to work effectively in a team,
- independence,
- reliability.
Desirable (but not mandatory) requirements/skills:
- previous experience with wood science, wood modification, wood physics, timber engineering, timber connections, or engineered wood products,
- experience with laboratory testing of wood, timber joints, structural materials, or other porous/biobased materials,
- familiarity with mechanical testing methods such as bending, compression, withdrawal, push-out, shear testing, or similar,
- experience with experimental measurement techniques such as digital image correlation, 3D scanning, X-ray CT or similar,
- knowledge of statistical software or programming tools, such as R, Python, MATLAB, JMP, SPSS, or similar,
- experience or interest in modelling approaches, such as statistical modelling, response-surface methodology, regression analysis, finite element modelling, hygro-mechanical modelling, contact/friction modelling, or other numerical simulation methods.
General description of duties and responsibilities:
- participation in the development and implementation of domestic and international research projects, programmes, and tasks,
- research and processing of special issues in the field of operation, implementation of analyses, measurements and tests for the needs of the work area,
- writing papers and reports in the field of research and professional work,
- participation in scientific research and professional consultations and meetings,
- preparation, editing and archiving of project documentation,
- preparation of administrative and professional bases for the work of the internal organizational unit,
- participation in the work of professional bodies and in joint projects and tasks as agreed with the management,
- performance of other tasks as ordered by superiors.
What we offer:
- No Ph.D. tuition fee,
- Opportunity to participate in other ongoing projects of the institute.
How to apply:
The applicants should send:
- curriculum vitae (including short descriptions of all prior educations, qualifications, and research or work experiences),
- motivation letter for this doctoral position (maximum one A4 page),
- list of publications (if applicable)
to this email address: coe@innorenew.eu. In the title (subject) of your email please write: PhD position Densified Wood Dowels. All materials should be submitted in PDF format no later than June 30, 2026.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about the research topic, please contact prof. dr. Andreja Kutnar (andreja.kutnar@innorenew.eu) or dr. Lei Han (lei.han@innorenew.eu).
The InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, extend the application period, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
Learn how to apply at http://innorenew.eu/jobs.
Learn more about the InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM at http://innorenew.eu or by e-mailing: coe@innorenew.eu.
Working with us
Research at the InnoRenew CoE is focused on supporting restorative solutions for the built environment through renewable materials research and sustainable building research that creates positive impacts for the environment, building users, and society. While working with us, you will conduct cutting edge research with researchers from around the globe, collaborate with industry members, interact with the public, and support policy development for a sustainable future.
Working in Slovenia
Slovenia is a beautiful country to live and work in with easy access to the rest of Europe. The InnoRenew CoE is located on Slovenia’s welcoming coast that is dotted with historic cities, wineries, olive groves, and stunning vistas. The food is great, the people are open and welcoming, and the lifestyle is as active or relaxed as you want it to be, with many outdoor activities to take part in or cafés to relax in.