Researcher / Data scientist

Jure Ftičar

Research, data & the tools between.

I study environmental questions through data and space — and build the software and infrastructure that make that work possible.

Jožef Stefan InstituteSlovenia

From a research question to something that works.

01About

A route through disciplines.

My formal background is in social science and political science. Over time, my work moved toward statistics, data science, GIS, and software — following the questions and the practical problems that came with them.

I now work at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Slovenia. That path helps me move between a research question and its implementation: understanding what an analysis needs to say, as well as what a system needs to do.

I’m particularly interested in making complicated technical systems usable by researchers, including people who don’t write code. A method becomes more useful when someone can work with it.

02Practice

One practice, several ways in.

The question rarely belongs to just one field. Neither does the work.

  1. Research

    Environmental exposure and urban environments: air pollution, noise, human biomonitoring, and the conditions around us.

    Starting with the question

  2. Data

    Statistics, machine learning, reproducible analysis, and the careful processing and validation that come before a model.

    Making evidence usable

  3. Space

    GIS and spatial analysis, from cycling routes and exposure surfaces to geospatial databases and shared research layers.

    Keeping the context in view

  4. Tools

    Research applications, extraction tools, dashboards, APIs, and pipelines that people can actually use in their work.

    Turning methods into practice

  5. Infrastructure

    Databases, Linux, containers, deployment, and operational tooling: the less visible work that keeps research systems running.

    Giving the work a foundation
ResearchDataSpaceToolsInfrastructure
Fig. 01 — Where the work meets

The useful part is the overlap.

Research shapes the question. Data, spatial thinking, software, and infrastructure help turn it into a working approach.

03Work

Selected work.

A working index of tools, analyses, and research systems.

  1. GeoTool

    Privacy-aware geospatial extraction and analysis tooling for cohort research. Making spatial context accessible while treating anonymity as a design constraint.

    SpaceToolsInfrastructure

    Contribution

    Research tool design & development

    • R
    • PostGIS
    • Spatial workflows

  2. Environmental exposure modelling

    Exploring cyclists’ exposure to PM2.5 and environmental conditions by bringing route data, urban context, statistical models, and machine learning together.

    ResearchDataSpace

    Contribution

    Spatial processing & statistical analysis

    • R
    • Python
    • GIS
    • Machine learning

  3. GeoNode research data infrastructure

    A geospatial research repository and the workflows around it: publishing, finding, and working with shared data in QGIS, Python, and R.

    SpaceToolsInfrastructure

    Contribution

    Infrastructure & workflow integration

    • GeoNode
    • QGIS
    • PostgreSQL
    • Docker

  4. Environmental data ingestion

    Automating the discovery and ingestion of public geospatial datasets, with metadata processing and provenance tracking built into the workflow.

    DataSpaceInfrastructure

    Contribution

    Pipeline design & automation

    • Python
    • GDAL
    • SQL
    • Data provenance

  5. Noise-map validation

    Statistical tooling for designing and evaluating survey-based validation of environmental noise models. Connecting reported experience with modelled conditions.

    ResearchDataTools

    Contribution

    Statistical methods & research tooling

    • R
    • Statistics
    • Survey design
04Bibliography

A record of the research.

Articles, conference contributions, and other work recorded in COBISS.

2024 Environmental research

Implementing co-created citizen science in five environmental epidemiological studies in the CitieS-Health project

FROELING, Frederique, GIGNAC, Florence, KOCMAN, David, FTIČAR, Jure, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, BASAGAÑA, Xavier, et al

Read articleCOBISS record 169710083

2023 Frontiers in environmental science

Toolkit for conducting citizen science activities in environmental epidemiology

KOCMAN, David, RIGHI, Valeria, ERRANDONEA, Lucia, FTIČAR, Jure, BASAGAÑA, Xavier, et al

Read articleCOBISS record 151381763

Complete bibliography24 records · 2019–2026

2026

  1. RUBIO, Maria Alejandra, NOVAK, Rok, FTIČAR, Jure, KOCMAN, David. Healthy Habitats Living Lab : bike commuters' environmental health literacy and insights to promote healthier cycling environments in Ljubljana. In: KAJTNA, Tanja (ed.), PUSTIVŠEK, Suzana (ed.). HEPA Europe 2026 : Green pathways to health : integrating green spaces and 24-hour movement behaviours for combating NCDs : Ljubljana, Slovenia, 8-10 September 2026 : [book of abstracts]. 1st digital ed. Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana Press, 2026. Str. 301. ISBN 978-961-297-879-2.

    COBISS record 291946755

2025

  1. FTIČAR, Jure. Ekstrakcija geolokacijskih podatkov ob zagotavljanju zasebnosti : GeoDev Meetup #14, Maribor, 11. november 2025.

    COBISS record 285255939

  2. NOVAK, Rok, RUBIO, Maria Alejandra, FTIČAR, Jure, KONTIĆ, Davor, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, KOCMAN, David. Kakovost zraka in občanska znanost : primeri dobrih praks : Predstavitev nove evropske Direktive o kakovosti zraka, Ljubljana, 7. 5. 2025.

    COBISS record 253610499

  3. RUBIO, Maria Alejandra, NOVAK, Rok, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, KONTIĆ, Davor, FTIČAR, Jure, BUČAR, Gregor, KOCMAN, David. Urban cycling lab : citizen science protocol to assess and reduce cyclists’ exposure to environmental stressors. In: MEŽNAR, Sebastian (ed.), et al. 17th Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Students' Conference : 28th – 30th May : Book of abstracts : from research to reality. Ljubljana: Jožef Stefan Institute: Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 2025. Str. 24.

    COBISS record 244339715

2024

  1. KOCMAN, David, NOVAK, Rok, RUBIO, Maria Alejandra, BUČAR, Gregor, KONTIĆ, Davor, FTIČAR, Jure, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, PALIR, Neža. Building inclusive and healthier cities : a case study on cycling and urban stressors through an urban living lab approach : Equal-Life Training, Ljubljana, November 11, 2024.

    COBISS record 217826819

  2. FROELING, Frederique, GIGNAC, Florence, KOCMAN, David, FTIČAR, Jure, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, BASAGAÑA, Xavier, et al. Implementing co-created citizen science in five environmental epidemiological studies in the CitieS-Health project. Environmental research. [Online ed.]. Jan. 2024, vol. 240, pt. 2, [article no.] 117469, str. 1-15, ilustr. ISSN 1096-0953., DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117469.

    COBISS record 169710083

  3. KOCMAN, David, NOVAK, Rok, FTIČAR, Jure, BUČAR, Gregor, CHOWDHURI, Arijit, GUPTA, Charu. Modular platform and interactive tools for assessing in exposure to environmental stressors in urban settings at the individual level using citizen science principles : The First Slovenian-Indian Day of Science and Innovations (a pilot project), Ljubljana, February 6, 2024.

    COBISS record 184113923

  4. KOCMAN, David, RUBIO, Maria Alejandra, NOVAK, Rok, BUČAR, Gregor, KONTIĆ, Davor, FTIČAR, Jure, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, PALIR, Neža. Urban cycling living lab: experiences in organizing and implementing sensor-enhanced ict infrastructure. In: Activating Urban Health Strategies for a Climate Resilient Tomorrow : Marraksh, Marocco, November 18-21 2024. [S. l.: s. n., 2024]. Str. 227.

    COBISS record 224180483

  5. STANKIĆ, Janko (artist), STAJNKO, Anja, RUNKEL, Agneta Annika, KOSJEK, Tina, FTIČAR, Jure, MAZEJ, Darja, HORVAT, Milena, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja. Using exposure load to examine the burden of multiple chemicals in men and lactating women. In: 3rd International Students Conference on Medical Geology & Environmental Health Europe 2024 : book of abstracts : Europe edition, 26th to 29th November 2024. S. l.: Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH), 2024. Str. 48.

    COBISS record 265463299

  6. RUNKEL, Agneta Annika, MAZEJ, Darja, HORVAT, Milena, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, STAJNKO, Anja, STANKIĆ, Janko (artist), FTIČAR, Jure, KOSJEK, Tina, JAGODIC HUDOBIVNIK, Marta. Using exposure load to examine the burden of multiple chemicals in men and lactating women from Slovenia : ISES-Symposium on Emerging Topic in Human Biomonitoring for Exposure Science, Montreal, 20. - 24. 10. 2024.

    COBISS record 265591811

2023

  1. KOCMAN, David, RIGHI, Valeria, ERRANDONEA, Lucia, FTIČAR, Jure, BASAGAÑA, Xavier, et al. Toolkit for conducting citizen science activities in environmental epidemiology. Frontiers in environmental science. 2023, vol. 11, [article no.] 1177413, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 2296-665X., DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1177413.

    COBISS record 151381763

2022

  1. KOCMAN, David, KONTIĆ, Davor, NOVAK, Rok, FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja. Building of the Urban Living Lab for evidence-based urban transport planning. In: Urban Transitions 2022 : integrating urban and transport planning, environment and health for healthier urban planning : 8-10 November 2022, Sitges, Barcelona, Spain. [S. l.: s. n. 2022, str. [1], [abstract no.] p2.101.

    COBISS record 146444035

  2. KOCMAN, David, FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja. CitieS-Health Ljubljana, pilot experience : presented at Shaping the Future of Citizen Science linking Environment and Health : 14th June 2022, hybrid meeting, online and in-person in Sapienza University of Rome.

    COBISS record 113795331

  3. KOCMAN, David, ROBINSON, Johanna A., NOVAK, Rok, KANDUČ, Tjaša, PRATNEKER, Miha, FTIČAR, Jure. Citizen science in environmental and health studies : opportunities and challenges : presented at the International workshop on sustainable remediation of toxic organic compounds (SusRemTOC) Goriška Brda, Slovenia, May 6th, 2022.

    COBISS record 107017475

  4. FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, VRABEC, Tina, NOVAK, Rok, ROBINSON, Johanna A., KOCMAN, David. Citizen science in environmental epidemiology : experiences from CitieS Health Ljubljana pilot. In: Engaging Citizen Science Conference 2022 : 25th-26th April, Aarhus University. Aarhus: Aarhus University, 2022. Str. 88.

    COBISS record 107835907

  5. KOCMAN, David, PRATNEKER, Miha, ROBINSON, Johanna A., NOVAK, Rok, KANDUČ, Tjaša, FTIČAR, Jure. Engagement of citizens in co-designing citizen science studies in environmental epidemiolog : opportunities and challenges. In: International e-conference on mitigating contemporary environmental issues by sustainable approaches [ICMCESCA - 2022], February 22-28, 2022 : book of abstract. Delhi: Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, 2022. Str. 67.

    COBISS record 99364355

  6. KOCMAN, David, FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, ROBINSON, Johanna A., NOVAK, Rok, FILIPIČ, Renata. Engagement of pupils in citizen science study in environmental epidemiology. In: PETELIN, Ana (ed.). Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov : 6. znanstvena in strokovna konferenca z mednarodno udeležbo : zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo : [16. september 2022] = Health of children and adolescents : 6th scientific and professional international conference : book of abstracts : [16th September 2022]. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem: = University of Primorska Press, 2022. Str. 125. ISBN 978-961-293-167-4, ISBN 978-961-293-168-1.

    COBISS record 121785091

  7. NOVAK, Rok, KOCMAN, David, KONTIĆ, Davor, FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja. Health impacts of cycling in urban environments : an urban living lab approach. In: 18th International Conference on Urban Health. [S. l.: s. n., 2022]. Str. 231.

    COBISS record 146292995

  8. NOVAK, Rok, KOCMAN, David, FTIČAR, Jure. Integracija prenosnih senzorjev za kakovost zraka. Ljubljana: Institut Jožef Stefan, 2022. 13 str., ilustr.

    COBISS record 125955331

  9. ScienceJam Hackathon 2022, 13.10.-14.2022, on zoom.

    COBISS record 125961987

2021

  1. KOCMAN, David, ROBINSON, Johanna A., NOVAK, Rok, KANDUČ, Tjaša, FTIČAR, Jure, PATNEKER, Miha. Citizens' involvement in environmental health studies: experiences and lessons learned : studies: experiences and lessons learned working on citizen science projects : invited talk, Masaryk University, Brno, 23. 11. 2021, Czech Republic.

    COBISS record 86188035

  2. KOCMAN, David, PRATNEKER, Miha, FTIČAR, Jure, VRABEC, Tina, ROBINSON, Johanna A., NOVAK, Rok. Involvement of citizens in environmental epidemiology studies = “Rewild Slovenia” - new concept of conservationism. In: MALAČIČ, Janez (ed.), OGRIN, Tomaž (ed.), GAMS, Matjaž (ed.). Ljudje in okolje = People and environment : 6. oktober 2021, 6 October 2021, Ljubljana, Slovenia : Informacijska družba - IS 2021 = Information Society - IS 2021 : zbornik 24. mednarodne multikonference = proceedings of the 24th international multiconference : zvezek F = volume F. Ljubljana: Institut "Jožef Stefan", 2021. Str. 40-44. Informacijska družba. ISBN 978-961-264-219-8. ISSN 2630-371X.

    COBISS record 87012355

  3. FTIČAR, Jure, PRATNEKER, Miha, KOCMAN, David. Knowledge generation in citizen science project using on -line tools. In: STRES, Špela (ed.), BLATNIK, Robert (ed.). 14. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij = 14th International Technology Transfer Conference : 7. oktober 2021, 7 October 2021, Ljubljana, Slovenia : Informacijska družba - IS 2021 = Information Society - IS 2021 : zbornik 24. mednarodne multikonference = proceedings of the 24th international multiconference : zvezek E = volume E. Ljubljana: Institut "Jožef Stefan", 2021. Str. 45-48. Informacijska družba. ISBN 978-961-264-224-2. ISSN 2630-371X.

    COBISS record 86974211

2019

  1. FTIČAR, Jure. Populizem med slovenskimi političnimi strankami v obdobju 2016-2019 : diplomsko delo. Ljubljana: [J. Ftičar], 2019. 30 str. Repository of the University of Ljubljana – RUL.

    COBISS record 36459613
Bibliography on COBISSSnapshot checked
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