Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography

Jiří Lechner

From 1977 to the present time, I have been working at the Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography in the fields of engineering geodesy, standardization and metrology. During my professional activity: – I have participated on development, production, installation and maintenance of measuring systems for the Temelín power plant (ETE),- I have participated on activities of technical standardization committee No. 24 “Geometric accuracy of buildings”, especially in the implementation of European standards (EN and ISO) and revision of existing technical standards (ČSN),- I am the author of several ČSN standards,- I am the guarantor of the state standard of length 25 m to 1450 m,- I participate in raising the qualifications of officially authorized surveying engineers,- I am the author and co-author of more than 100 publications, including patents and industrial designs.

The postdoctoral fellow will join the research team at the Department of Metrology and Engineering Geodesy of the Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography, v.v.i. and will participate in:

1) planning and implementation of surveying activities to ensure the metrological traceability of the state standard of lengths 25 m to 1450 m,

2) the research of the application of new procedures for the creation of geographic data in the complex design of landscape modifications.

Within the metrological traceability of the state standard of lengths 25 m to 1450 m (SE), the analysis of the influence of the external environment on the stability of the SE will be solved based on the monitoring of the temperature regime of the external environment, the soil moisture regime, changes in the length parameters of the standard and the inclinations of individual pillars. This activity is part of cooperation within the European international association of metrologists EURAMET.

As part of the application of new procedures for the creation of geographic data in the complex design of land improvements to the landscape, new requirements for the real estate cadastre will be incorporated into existing technologies to prevent possible negative effects of water (water retention in the landscape, floods, exogenous processes, etc.) and for the creation of geographic data for planning retention measures and measures to prevent flooding in the landscape.

The results of the research will serve for their use in the design of complex land improvements with the aim of improving the ecology of the environment and effective use of the environment according to contemporary requirements for the soil regime.

Jan Douša

I have been working at the Geodetic Observatory Pecný of the RIGTC since 1996. I also worked at the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ in Germany during 2009-2011. As a head of the GNSS group, my research interests are developing and exploiting high-accuracy post-processing or real-time analyses of GNSS data in scientific, public, or commercial domains: precise positioning and velocity estimation (reference frames, geodynamics, geohazards, kinematic positioning), modeling and monitoring of the atmosphere (nowcasting, meteorology, climatology, space weather applications), generating global or regional products for GNSS precise geodetic applications (satellites orbits, satellite clock corrections, ionospheric and tropospheric delays).

The successful candidate will be affiliated to the Department of Geodesy and Geodynamics at the Geodetic Observatory Pecny (GOP) in Ondřejov.

The Postdoctoral fellow will join the team that is focused on developing and exploiting high-accuracy analyses of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) observations in support of precise positioning and velocity estimates (reference frames, geodynamics, geohazards, kinematic positioning), developing algorithms and processing strategies for the Precise Point Positioning method as well as a network solution (fast integer ambiguity resolution, multi-frequency and multi-constellation analyses, utilization of uncombined and undifferenced observations, real-time and offline data pre-processing, outliers detecting and mitigating, IGS RTS and Galileo HAS services exploiting and completing), generating global and regional products for GNSS precise real-time services (satellites orbits and clocks corrections, code & phase hardware biases, ionospheric and tropospheric delays), GNSS performance monitoring (Galileo’s Open & High Accuracy Services), monitoring and modeling of atmospheric effects on GNSS signal (water vapor content for meteorology and climatology, space weather).

Based on long-term liaisons of the GOP with the international community, the fellow may step into collaboration with international scientific organizations, e.g. IGS, EUREF, EPOS, E-GVAP, or institutions/partners even from commercial domain, e.g. EUSPA, ESA, G-Nut Software, NAVMATIX. The expected outputs of the fellowship are high-level scientific publications as well as applied research outputs such as developing and potentially commercializing the software, solutions, and services.

Areas of knowledge of the applicant that can fit optimally to our research group consists of knowledges in space geodesy, signal processing, astronomy, atmosphere physics, artificial intelligence, time-series analysis, and statistical methods. The following additional skills or experience of the applicant would be good to have: programming language (c++/c, perl or python, bash), linux practice (shell scripting, automating, and visualizing). Independent work and thinking, proactive attitude and problem solving, and teamwork are all key personal characteristics that are expected from the successful applicant.

Radoslaw Zajdel

In 2021, I obtained my Ph.D. in satellite geodesy from the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr) in Poland. My dissertation titled “Determining Global Geodetic Parameters Using GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo Satellite Systems,” focused on analyzing data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), particularly in precise orbit determination and monitoring Earth system phenomena such as Earth rotation. My research explores the advantages of multi-GNSS constellations and contributes to advancing navigation systems such as European Galileo and Chinese BeiDou.
Throughout my academic journey, I participated in several international research projects and fellowships in places such as the Astronomical Institute University of Bern, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the GFZ – German Research Centre for Geosciences. These experiences strengthened my qualifications within international research groups.
The goal of my project is to investigate the benefits of utilizing different GNSS in Earth sciences. The outcomes of this endeavor will advance scientific knowledge in space geodesy and yield practical benefits for society by enhancing the accuracy of geodetic measurements, improving our understanding of Earth’s processes and climate changes; and by facilitating the development of more reliable positioning and navigation systems.

Given the pressing issue of climate change and its global implications, it is crucial for every country, including the Czech Republic, to engage in discussions on this matter both locally and globally. Participation in the MERIT programme not only provides me with the opportunity to delve into this important topic but also enables my development from an early career scientist to a leader of research teams and potentially future international projects.

Alina Khoptar

My previous international experience includes internships, research collaborations, and conference participation in various European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Portugal. Each experience has broadened my academic horizons and allowed me to establish valuable connections within the international scientific community.

My motivation to apply for a MERIT fellowship and conduct research in the Czech Republic stems from several key factors. The strategic objectives of the MERIT programme align closely with my research aspirations, and its international focus stimulates my interest. Additionally, the expertise of the Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography, and Cartography in the field of geodesy and metrology makes the Czech Republic an ideal location for advancing research in my area of expertise. I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to work alongside esteemed researchers and access state-of-the-art facilities, which will significantly enhance the quality and impact of my research endeavors.

The objective of my research project is to ensure the metrological traceability of the state standard of length from 25 m to 1450 m. By developing innovative technology this project aims to establish high-quality geodetic length standards which will benefit the Czech Republic and have broader implications for Europe. Accurate and reliable measurements are crucial for various sectors, including construction, transportation, and environmental monitoring thus contributing to the socioeconomic development and sustainability of the Central Bohemia region.

The MERIT fellowship represents a pivotal opportunity for advancing my career in geodesy and metrology. By providing access to cutting-edge research facilities, and mentorship from leading experts. The fellowship will enable me to develop further my research skills and expand my professional network.