Doctoral study (Ph.D.)
Doctoral study program Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing is the only study program in Slovakia in the field of Earth Sciences. Institute of Geography has excellent personnel and material prerequisites for the implementation of the study program. High-quality international research is essential for the successful implementation of doctoral study.
Institute of Geography implements several research projects; guarantors and scientific staff publish their work in high-quality foreign journals.
From the beginning of the study, students participate in institutional research projects and take part in publishing activities as well as work with the latest technologies. They can also present their scientific results at domestic and foreign conferences. We support the collection of foreign experiences in the form of the Erasmus + exchange program, which is aimed at gaining new experience and personal contacts.
A doctoral study takes four years to complete, and it is divided into a study and a scientific part, which starts from the first year. During the study part, students regularly meet with study guarantors and other experts from the field in order to broaden their knowledge and consult about their research topics.
A successful doctoral study requires gaining the ability to publish in quality foreign journals. Under the supervision of their Ph.D. coach and study guarantors, they will learn to publish their work in prestigious foreign and domestic scientific journals. They receive credits for their scientific results that make up at least half of the required credits for the entire period of doctoral study.
More about the admission procedure
The basic research areas to which the topics of the dissertation relate are as follows:
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Mapping and modelling of the landscape surfaces using airborne and terrestrial laser scanning
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Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for mapping and modelling of landscape
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3D city modelling and its applications
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Modelling landscape dynamics in high resolution
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Innovations in geospatial visualisation
Supervisors:
prof. Mgr. Jaroslav Hofierka, PhD.
doc. Ing. Katarína Bonová, PhD.
doc. Mgr. Michal Gallay, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Ján Kaňuk, PhD.
doc. Mgr. Ladislav Novotný, PhD.
Who can apply?
We welcome all applicants, not only graduates of the field of geography, but also those interested in related fields. The applicant should support their interest with relevant background in GIS/RS which they either acquired during previous study or job.
A personal contact with a potential supervisor is advisable to consult the focus of the thesis. Specific topic can be negotiated but it is subject to the focus of current research project at the Institute. The focus of the thesis can be modified during the study to more accurately reflect the content of the thesis. The number of doctoral posts is limited to 2-4 places per year.
Profile of the PhD. graduate
The graduate has a wide range of theoretical and empirical knowledge of geographic information science and remote sensing. He or she is capable of solving complex geospatial tasks and apply the knowledge in practice. The graduate is capable of developing the theoretical-methodological base of Geoinformatics, particularly in the field of geospatial analyses, environmental modelling and the application of the most advanced methods of Remote Sensing.
The graduate knows the principles of scientific work and research, including publishing in scientific journals and presentation of scientific results. He or she can formulate research questions and solve them creatively with appropriate methodological procedures. The graduate has an excellent overview of the contemporary state-of-the-art.
Graduates of this PhD. programme are highly relevant on the job market especially for institutions focusing on research and development, universities, governmental institutions for landscape management, in business where the development of geographic information systems software and spatial data acquisition and analysis is required.