Rektorat, Researcher – GreenHer Pilot 1: Sustainable Conservation and Restoration

THE UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA has, over its 100 years of development, strengthened its position as the largest and leading scientific research and academic institution in Slovenia, as it creates, develops, provides and applies its knowledge and expertise to address some of the key social, economic and other issues.

If working in such an environment appeals to you, the University of Ljubljana can offer you a position that is difficult to find elsewhere due to our advantages, such as:

• work in a pleasant, safe and stimulating working environment,
• interesting and dynamic work,
• opportunities for additional education,
• opportunities for developing your abilities and knowledge, as well as personal and professional growth and exchange of experience,
• possibility of occasional remote work,
• the University of Ljubljana offers many challenges and consequently many opportunities to prove yourself. The business environment is very large, diverse and complex: almost 40,000 students, 6,000 employees and 26 member institutions,
• integration into an international environment, as the university collaborates extensively with other international universities,
• opportunity to gain experience through exchanges at foreign universities,
• promotion to higher salary grades in accordance with public sector legislation,
• favourable allocation of annual leave days,
• care for employees’ health through various recreational programmes.

UL Member Institution: Secretariat (Rectorate) of the University of Ljubljana, Kongresni trg 12, 1000 Ljubljana, announces job vacancy:

Researcher – GreenHer Pilot 1: Sustainable Conservation and Restoration (m/f)

• Job code: H017004, code R: 2.8.86
• Tariff class: VII/2
• Salary subgroup: H1
• Work unit: Rectorate of the University of Ljubljana, Kongresni trg 12, Ljubljana, GreenHer Centre of Excellence
• Work location: GreenHer CoE, Unit UM, 2000 Maribor
• Number of positions available: 1
• Type of employment: fixed-term until 30/9/2030 due to work on the GreenHer project
• Working hours: full-time, 40 hours/week
• Probation period: 3 months
• Publication date: 23/7/2026
• Application deadline: 20/8/2026
• Salary: base salary is determined by placement in the initial 20th salary grade (amounting to 2.218,51 EUR gross, while considering the gradual elimination of pay disparities until 2028).
• Expected start date: 1/10/2026

Requirements for the position:

• Required education: Postgraduate specialization following a higher education degree (pre-Bologna system) / university degree (pre-Bologna system) / Master's degree (second-cycle Bologna degree) in a relevant field (materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, textiles, wood science and technology, mechanical engineering, conservation-restoration, packaging technologies, or another related scientific or engineering discipline), completed by the start of employment.
•  Personal competencies: Innovation, teamwork skills, strong communication skills, and organizational abilities.
• Work experience is not required. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge or experience in the fields of functional materials development, bio-based polymers, packaging technologies, materials characterization, cultural heritage conservation, or biomaterials.

Job description

General description:

• conducting scientific research and professional work within research projects; providing expert support to clients commissioning research tasks; preparing written research reports, studies, and expert assessments.
• Participating in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and study programmes.
• Preparing proposals for the acquisition of research equipment; maintaining research equipment and ordering consumable materials.
• Performing tasks within their area of expertise as assigned by the head of the organizational unit, as well as other duties falling within the broader professional scope of the position.

Detailed description

• To support the implementation of GreenHer Centre of Excellence activities, a researcher (100% FTE) is to be employed to conduct doctoral research on the development of bio-based active packaging systems for the protection of archaeological and cultural heritage.
•  The research will focus on the development of innovative functional packaging materials designed to actively regulate the microenvironment during excavation, transportation, and long-term storage of archaeological finds.
• The proposed research directly supports the objectives of the GreenHer CoE in the areas of sustainable materials development and advanced solutions for the preventive conservation of cultural heritage.
• Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of bio-based functional materials capable of regulating relative humidity, reducing oxidative processes, adsorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and limiting microbiological degradation, with the aim of preserving the biomolecular integrity of archaeological samples.
• The new position will make a significant contribution to the research activities of the GreenHer CoE, the advancement of knowledge in materials science and packaging technologies, and the preparation of scientific publications, patent applications, and new international research projects.
• The research will integrate the fields of materials science, packaging technologies, conservation, archaeology, and biomolecular sciences and will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for the long-term preservation of cultural heritage, in line with the objectives of the Horizon Europe programme and the GreenHer Centre of Excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the conduct and outcomes of the research, and for the professional and timely execution of assigned work.
•  Responsible for the equipment and work resources assigned for use.

Applications with CV and proof of meeting the requirements should be sent electronically to: rektorat@uni-lj.si

Applicants must refer to reference number: 103-35/2026 when submitting their application.

The University of Ljubljana promotes gender equality in employment.
An employment contract may only be concluded with a candidate who meets the requirements.
The employer reserves the right, in accordance with Article 24 of the Employment Relationship Act (ZDR-1), not to select a candidate even if they meet the requirements.