Dr. Radosław Zajdel

Scientific Degrees

My academic path has been rooted at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, where I continue to conduct research and mentor students in satellite geodesy.

Career Timeline

Key academic and research roles presented chronologically.

Publications

Peer-reviewed and invited publications covering GNSS orbit determination, satellite laser ranging integration, Earth rotation parameters, and reference-frame realization.

1. Zajdel, R., Balidakis, K., Nowak, A., Kur, T., Sośnica, K., & Douša, J. (2025). Three decades of GNSS-derived geocenter motion: Disentangling geophysical signal from systematic errors. Advances in Space Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2025.11.053
2. Zajdel, R., Mansur, G., Sakić, P., Rebischung, P., Brack, A., Männel, B., & Douša, J. (2025). Advancing multi-GNSS orbit combination in the variance component estimation framework. Journal of Geodesy, 99(11), 90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-025-02005-w
3. Zajdel, R., Nowak, A., & Sośnica, K. (2024). Satellite laser ranging to BeiDou-3 satellites: Initial performance and contribution to orbit model improvement. GPS Solutions, 28(3), 100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-024-01638-2
4. Zajdel, R., & Sośnica, K. (2024). Decadal evolution of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo mean orbital elements. GPS Solutions, 28(4), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-024-01708-5
5. Zajdel, R., Masoumi, S., Sośnica, K., Gałdyn, F., Strugarek, D., & Bury, G. (2023). Combination and SLR validation of IGS Repro3 orbits for ITRF2020. Journal of Geodesy, 97(10), 87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-023-01777-3
6. Zajdel, R., Kaźmierski, K., & Sośnica, K. (2022). Orbital artifacts in multi-GNSS precise point positioning time series. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 127(2), 19. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022994
7. Zajdel, R., Steigenberger, P., & Montenbruck, O. (2022). On the potential contribution of BeiDou-3 to the realization of the terrestrial reference frame scale. GPS Solutions, 26(4), 109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-022-01298-0
8. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., & Bury, G. (2021). Geocenter coordinates derived from multi-GNSS: A look into the role of solar radiation pressure modeling. GPS Solutions, 25(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-020-01037-3
9. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Dach, R., Prange, L., & Kaźmierski, K. (2021). Sub-daily polar motion from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Journal of Geodesy, 95(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-020-01453-w
10. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Dach, R., & Prange, L. (2020). System-specific systematic errors in Earth rotation parameters derived from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. GPS Solutions, 24(3), 74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-020-00989-w
11. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Dach, R., Bury, G., Prange, L., & Jäggi, A. (2019). Network effects and handling of the geocenter motion in multi-GNSS processing. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124(6), 5970–5989. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB017443
12. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Drożdżewski, M., Bury, G., & Strugarek, D. (2019). Impact of network constraining on the terrestrial reference frame realization based on SLR observations to LAGEOS. Journal of Geodesy, 93(11), 2293–2313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-019-01307-0
13. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., & Bury, G. (2017). A new online service for the validation of multi-GNSS orbits using SLR. Remote Sensing, 9(10), 1049. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9101049

Reviewer & Bibliometrics

Research Grants

I coordinate and contribute to national and European grants that advance GNSS, SLR, and space-geodetic technologies.

International Conferences

Comprehensive record of presentations and posters delivered at leading GNSS, geodesy, and Earth observation events.

Presentations

1. Zajdel, R., Mansur, G., Brack, A., Sakic, P., Männel, B., Douša, J. (2024). Optimizing Multi-GNSS Orbit and Clock Combination using Variance Component Estimation. 9th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Wrocław, Poland.
2. Zajdel, R., Mansur, G., Brack, A., et al. (2024). Multi-GNSS Orbit and Clock Combination based on Variance Component Estimation. IGS Symposium & Workshop, Bern, Switzerland, 1-5 July 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12358.89929
3. Zajdel, R., Mansur, G., Brack, A., et al. (2024). Optimizing Multi-GNSS Orbit Combination. EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 April 2024, EGU24-876. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-876
4. Zajdel, R., Bury, G., Sośnica, K., Strugarek, D., Gałdyn, F., Nowak, A. Frontiers in GNSS orbit modeling – conclusions and open issues emerging from the analysis of the IGS Repro3 orbits. XXVIII IUGG General Assembly, Berlin, Germany.
5. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Masoumi, S., Bury, G., Strugarek, D. (2023). SLR validation of the IGS Repro3 orbits for ITRF2020. EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria.
6. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G. (2022). Determination of ERPs from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Second Earth Orientation Parameters Prediction Comparison Campaign Workshop, Warsaw, Poland.
7. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Strugarek, D. (2022). Assessment of IGS Repro3 orbits using SLR observations. IGS 2022 Virtual Workshop "Science from Earth to Space".
8. Zajdel, R., Kaźmierski, K., Sośnica, K. (2022). System-specific signals in multi-GNSS Precise Point Positioning. 8th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Sofia, Bulgaria.
9. Zajdel, R., Kaźmierski, K., Sośnica, K. (2022). Inconsistency in Precise Point Positioning products from GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria.
10. Zajdel, R., Steigenberger, P., Montenbruck, O. (2022). Quality assessment of the BeiDou-3 phase center offset calibrations in terms of the realization of the terrestrial reference frame scale. IAG International Symposium on Reference Frames for Applications in Geosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece.
11. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Strugarek, D., Drożdżewski, M. (2021). Differences in geocenter coordinate estimates delivered from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. IAG Scientific Assembly "Geodesy for a Sustainable Earth" (virtual, Beijing).
12. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Kaźmierski, K. (2021). Estimating variations in Earth rotation using GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. EGU General Assembly 2021 vEGU21.
13. Zajdel, R., Kaźmierski, K., Sośnica, K. (2021). Recognition of periodic signals in coordinate time series from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo Precise Point Positioning. IAG Scientific Assembly "Geodesy for a Sustainable Earth" (virtual).
14. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Dach, R., Bury, G., Prange, L. (2019). Galileo-based Earth rotation parameters derived with a daily and sub-daily resolution. 7th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Zurich, Switzerland.
15. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Dach, R., Bury, G., Prange, L. (2019). Galileo-based Earth rotation parameters with sub-daily resolution. 27th IUGG General Assembly, Montreal, Canada.
16. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Kaźmierski, K., Strugarek, D. (2019). Sub-daily Earth Rotation Parameters from GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. 20th Czech-Polish Workshop on Recent Geodynamics of Central Europe & 2nd Symposium of the Committee on Geodesy PAS, Jakuszyce, Poland.
17. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G. (2018). GOVUS - SLR@multi-GNSS service. 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Riga, Latvia.
18. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G. (2017). New ILRS Associated Analysis Center for processing SLR observations to multi-GNSS. ILRS Analysis Standing Committee Meeting, Vienna, Austria.
19. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G. (2017). GOVUS – a new online tool for the evaluation of SLR observations to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS. ILRS Technical Workshop, Riga, Latvia.

Posters

1. Zajdel, R., Smolak, K., Douša, J., Steigenberger, P., Schönemann, E., Gini, F. (2025). Clustering the GNSS landscape: satellite-specific insights from geodetic time series. IAG 2025 Scientific Assembly "Geodesy for a Changing Environment", Rimini, Italy.
2. Zajdel, R., Balidakis, K., Nowak, A., Gałdyn, F., Sośnica, K., Dobslaw, H. (2025). Exploring network effects in GNSS-based low-degree gravity field coefficients. IAG 2025 Scientific Assembly, Rimini, Italy.
3. Zajdel, R., Balidakis, K., Nowak, A., Gałdyn, F., Sośnica, K., Douša, J. (2024). Combined GNSS-based model of geocenter motion based on the IGS Repro3 products. 9th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Wrocław, Poland.
4. Zajdel, R., Nowak, A., Sośnica, K. Satellite Laser Ranging to 24 BeiDou-3 MEO satellites. XXVIII IUGG General Assembly, Berlin, Germany.
5. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G. (2022). Decadal analysis of the evolution of Galileo mean orbital elements. 8th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Sofia, Bulgaria.
6. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Masoumi, S., Bury, G., Strugarek, D. (2022). Evolution of the Galileo orbit quality: SLR validation of the IGS Repro3 products. 8th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS.
7. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Dach, R., Bury, G., Prange, L. (2019). Handling of geocenter motion in the GNSS solutions. 7th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS, Zurich, Switzerland.
8. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Drożdżewski, M., Bury, G. (2018). Different approaches to the reference frame implementation in SLR-LAGEOS solution. 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Canberra, Australia.
9. Zajdel, R., Dach, R., Sośnica, K., Prange, L. (2018). Impact of the multi-GNSS station distribution and datum definition on station coordinates. EUREF Symposium 2018, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
10. Zajdel, R., Sośnica, K., Bury, G., Kaźmierski, K. (2017). GOVUS.pl: a new online service for Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou and QZSS orbit validation using Satellite Laser Ranging data. 6th International Colloquium on Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of GNSS/Galileo, Valencia, Spain.

Teaching

As an assistant professor I design graduate-level curricula that combine theoretical geodesy with hands-on GNSS and SLR data processing.

Detailed Course Portfolio

• 2023/24: Elements of Programming — course coordinator, lectures and labs, 75 teaching hours.
• 2022/23: Analysis and Processing of Satellite Observations — course coordinator, lectures and lab exercises, 30 hours.
• 2022/23: Satellite Measurement Techniques — lecturer, 10 hours.
• 2022/23: Elements of Programming — course coordinator, lectures and labs, 75 hours.
• 2021/22: Physical Geodesy and Geodynamics — lecturer for lab classes, 45 hours.
• 2021/22: Geodetic Reference Systems — lecturer for lab classes, 90 hours.
• 2021/22: Elements of Programming — course coordinator, lectures and labs, 75 hours.
• 2020/21: Programming in GIS — lecturer for Erasmus laboratory classes, 45 hours.
• 2020/21: Elements of Programming — course coordinator, lectures and lab exercises, 75 hours.
• 2019/20: Introduction to Software Engineering — course coordinator, lectures and labs, 45 hours.
• 2019/20: Analysis and Processing of Satellite Observations — lecturer for labs, 30 hours.
• 2019/20: Dynamics of Earth’s Artificial Satellite Orbits — lecturer for labs, 30 hours.
• 2018/19: Geodetic Reference Systems — lecturer for labs, 30 hours.
• 2018/19: Introduction to Software Engineering — lecturer for labs, 45 hours.

Professional Memberships & Service

I engage with international working groups that shape GNSS and SLR research agendas.

• Scientific Support Council member for the European Space Agency’s GENESIS-1 mission program.
• 2025–present: Member of the IGS Task Force for Combination Statistics Format led by Prof. Jianghui Geng (Chinese Academy of Sciences).
• 2023–present: Member of the IGS Combination Task Force (CTF) for multi-GNSS orbit combination.
• 2019–2023: Member of IAG Joint Study Group T.24 on integration and co-location of space-geodetic observations and parameters.
• 2019–2023: Member of IAG Joint Working Group 1.2.3 toward reconciling geocenter motion estimates (joint with IERS).
• 2017–present: Coordinator of the affiliated ILRS analysis center at WUELS focusing on SLR-based orbit validation.
• 2016–2019: Member of IAG Joint Analytical Group JSG 0.14 on fusion of multi-technique geodetic data.

Awards & Distinctions

Recognition for scientific impact, teaching excellence, and conference contributions.

Other Achievements

Highlights that complement my primary research and teaching activities.

• Author of the online service for validation of multi-GNSS orbits using SLR, released to support IGS and ILRS analysis centers.
• Contributor to GNSS/SLR combination campaigns at GOP and WUELS, ensuring traceability of reference-frame products.
• Mentor for early-career researchers interested in variance component estimation and GNSS software development.
• Active cooperation with DLR, ESA, GFZ Helmholtz Centre, BKG, CNES, Geoscience Australia, and other national agencies on orbit validation and reference-frame initiatives.
• Co-author of annual reports for the International GNSS Service, International Laser Ranging Service, EUREF national reports, and COSPAR national reports.

Workshops & Summer Schools

I continuously update my toolkit through international training events focused on gravimetry, GNSS, and geodetic instrumentation.

• 2020: NEROGRAV International Autumn School (DFG / Horizon 2020 initiative).
• 2019: Scintrex gPhone-X gravimeter training program.
• 2017: EGSIEM Autumn School of Satellite Gravimetry Applications, Potsdam, Germany.

International Internships

Personal

Outside the lab I am a husband and father of two young children (ages 1 and 4), a dedicated home barista, and a squash enthusiast who never passes up a good drop shot. I love butter, black coffee, and making people laugh, and I advocate for flexibility, transparency, and empathy in every team I join.