Announcement about recruitment to the Poznań Doctoral School of the Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences at the Institute of Dendrology Polish Academy of Sciences No. 21/2026/ID/PSD

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 10 Dec 2026 - 15:00 (UTC) Date de début : 1 Jan 2027 Programme UE : Not funded by a EU programme Domaine : Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences

I. Position type: doctoral student II. Number of vacancies: 1 III. Discipline: Forest Science IV. Application deadline: 10/12/2026 V. Detailed information about recruitment process can be found on the website: https://www.idpan.poznan.pl/en-us/recruitment and https://psd-ipan.ichb.pl/index.php/en/home/ VI. Research topic: Sustainable Forest Management VII. Principal Investigator / Research group: Dr. Francesco Latterini VIII. Project Description: Forests face increasing demands for sustainable management, yet the forestry sector is overwhelmingly focused on digitalisation and heavy mechanisation. This overlooks a practice that has been part of European forestry for centuries, animal logging. Horses, mules, and oxen remain vital in many regions due to their ability to work in steep, fragmented, or ecologically sensitive areas with lower carbon emissions and cultural value preservation. However, without innovation, animal logging risks disappearing, despite its environmental and socio-economic benefits. The AniLog project proposes a pioneering approach to revitalise animal logging by integrating it with modern forestry technologies and practices. Through three representative case studies in Italy, Switzerland/Germany, and Poland, AniLog will: (1) develop and test a prototype “smart” pack saddle equipped with scales, GPS, and traceability tools to improve efficiency, animal welfare, and integration with mechanised systems; (2) directly compare the sustainability and competitiveness of horse logging against emerging low-impact mechanised alternatives such as mini forestry crawlers; and (3) introduce soil trafficability mapping as a planning tool to further reduce ecological disturbance in sensitive areas. By combining applied research, innovation, and strong stakeholder involvement, AniLog will deliver practical guidelines, prototypes, demonstration events, and peer-reviewed publications. Its outputs will provide forest managers and practitioners with evidence-based tools to modernise animal logging, making it a viable and attractive option within contemporary wood supply chains. AniLog is not about preserving a relic of the past, but about transforming animal logging into a forward-looking solution that meets ecological, economic, and cultural needs. By bridging tradition and innovation, this project has the potential to redefine sustainable forestry in Europe and beyond, ensuring that animal logging evolves into a symbol of modern, effective, and environmentally responsible forest management. The PhD student's tasks will include: • Support in data collection, data analysis, dissemination activities (scientific publications and conferences) and in the organisation of the demo-days and…