Biologické centrum AV ČR
**PhD Studentship in Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics and Population Genetics** **Position Overview** We invite exceptional candidates for a four-year PhD Studentship funded by an ERC grant to explore cutting-edge questions at the intersection of population genetics and community ecology. **Institution:** Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Entomology, Czech Republic **Department:** Department of Ecology **Laboratory:** Laboratory of Experimental Ecology **Employment Type:** Fixed-term research position (Part-time) **Start Date:** March 1, 2026 **Application Deadline:** January 7, 2026 **Education Required:** Master's Degree or equivalent **Research Focus** Evolution can be remarkably rapid, with critical traits changing within just a few generations. However, we are only beginning to understand how these eco-evolutionary processes affect host-parasite interaction dynamics and entire community stability. Our research investigates how rapid evolution impacts diversity maintenance in communities and genetic variation preservation in populations—processes traditionally studied in isolation. **Project Description** This collaborative project utilizes an innovative experimental community model system featuring wild Drosophila species and their parasitoids from tropical Australia. Through multigenerational laboratory microcosm experiments, we track eco-evolutionary dynamics with exceptional precision. The successful candidate will employ a multidisciplinary approach combining: - Experimental community evolution - Population genomics - Eco-evolutionary modeling Specific PhD projects will be developed through collaborative discussions between the candidate and supervisor. **Requirements** - Master's degree (required for PhD entry in Czech Republic) **Preferred Experience:** - Laboratory research experience - Background in population genetics or molecular ecology - Knowledge of eco-evolutionary dynamics or population genetic modeling **Benefits Package** - 5 weeks paid annual leave - Subsidized meals in on-site canteen - Pension insurance contribution - Health insurance and social security coverage - Student benefits for PhD candidates - Complimentary Czech language classes - Professional training and mentoring programs - Campus daycare for children (ages 1+) - Welcome services and ongoing support for international employees - English-speaking, collaborative international environment - Excellent work-life balance in a vibrant university city **Research Environment** Join the prestigious Laboratory of Experimental Ecology at the Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences. This multinational team of postdocs, PhD students, and technicians operates with substantial resources from a five-year ERC Consolidator grant, ensuring exceptional research support. The position includes opportunities for international research stays and collaboration with global partners. **Location** České Budějovice is a safe, historic city of 100,000 residents located two hours south of Prague. The city offers a relaxed atmosphere, stunning countryside, and growing international research community. The Biology Centre holds the HR Award, ensuring transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory selection processes. **Additional Information** Recent Czech legislation guarantees competitive PhD student salaries that comfortably cover living expenses. The working language is English, and candidates from all countries are encouraged to apply. International applicants receive comprehensive relocation and settlement support. To apply, submit a single document containing your motivation letter, CV, and contact details for two references through our official application portal.
Biologické centrum AV ČR
# Research Assistant/Technician Position - Polycomb Repressive Complexes Research **Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, Czech Republic** ## Position Overview We are seeking a dedicated research assistant/technician to join the Iva Mozgová research group at the Biology Centre CAS in České Budějovice. Our international research team focuses on understanding the function and evolution of Polycomb Repressive Complexes (PRC), with particular emphasis on PRC2 function in plant growth, vegetative development, and evolution within the green lineage. We employ interdisciplinary approaches combining molecular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology, and bioinformatics. ## Key Responsibilities - Conduct research on Polycomb Repressive Complexes using plant and algal models - Apply molecular biology and biochemistry techniques in laboratory settings - Collaborate with international team members and students on cutting-edge research projects - Contribute to data analysis and interpretation using bioinformatics approaches - Support ongoing research initiatives and maintain laboratory operations ## Required Qualifications - Master's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant Sciences, or related field - Previous hands-on experience working with plant or algal model systems - Excellent English language proficiency - Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in international, collaborative environments - Exceptional organizational abilities - Proactive problem-solving approach and analytical mindset ## What We Offer **Professional Development:** - Research assistant/technician position with potential pathway to PhD studies - Immediate start date available - Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and equipment - Professional training programs and mentoring opportunities - Free Czech language classes **Compensation & Benefits:** - Competitive salary package - 5 weeks paid annual leave - Subsidized meals in on-site canteen - Comprehensive health insurance and social security coverage - Pension insurance contribution - Support for leisure, sports, and cultural activities - Concessionary services with partner organizations **Work Environment:** - English-speaking, international research environment - Campus-based daycare facilities for children (age 1+) - Excellent work-life balance in university city setting - Welcome service and ongoing support for international employees ## About the Biology Centre Located in České Budějovice, a safe and charming city of approximately 100,000 residents just two hours south of Prague, the Biology Centre offers an ideal blend of professional excellence and quality of life. The city features a historic center, relaxed atmosphere, and stunning countryside providing numerous opportunities for both research and recreational activities. The Biology Centre maintains a growing international expert community alongside the neighboring University of South Bohemia. As an HR Award holder, we are committed to transparent, open, non-discriminatory, and fair recruitment processes. Our institution provides comprehensive support services for international employees, including visa assistance, administrative support, and relocation services. **Application Deadline:** February 4, 2026 *The Biology Centre CAS is a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance committed to fostering innovative scientific research and supporting career development in a collaborative, multicultural environment.*
Biologické centrum AV ČR
Přehled We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join an interdisciplinary research project focused on Midichloria, a unique intracellular symbiont capable of invading mitochondria of oocytes of several tick species, e.g. Ixodes ricinus. Despite its exceptional biology, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial specificity of Midichloria remain unknown. This project aims to identify metabolic and functional features that render mitochondria susceptible to bacterial invasion, addressing a fundamental question in host–symbiont interactions. The PhD student will investigate whether mitochondrial invasion is associated with distinct mitochondrial states reflecting altered metabolic activity or functional imbalance. Using comparative biological models, the project will examine mitochondrial physiology, stress-related and redox-associated processes in relation to symbiont localization, integrating imaging-based approaches with targeted molecular and biochemical analyses. In the later phase, the project will explore whether Midichloria can retain its mitochondrial targeting capacity beyond its native host environment, testing the robustness and specificity of this interaction across biological systems. Overall, this research will reveal general principles of mitochondrial recognition by intracellular bacteria and provide a conceptual framework for exploiting symbiotic interactions to modulate mitochondrial states. We require you to have: Master’s degree in biology or a related life science field (completed before the start of the PhD) Experience with cell biology, microbiology, or molecular biology approaches Basic familiarity with microscopy, biochemical, or molecular techniques Good communication skills in English (written and spoken) Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment Strong interest in experimental research and fundamental biological questions We offer you: 5 weeks of paid holiday yearly, subsidized lunches in our own canteen Pension insurance contribution, support of leisure sport & cultural activities Full health insurance and social security, student benefits for PhD students Free Czech language classes, professional trainings and mentoring programme Concessionary services at the contractual operator and bank Campus-based daycare for employees‘ children from the age of 1 year Welcome service and further support for foreigners (HR Award) English speaking, friendly & stimulating international working environment Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for various activities Working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance Work will be conducted at the Institute of Parasitology (IoP), Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BC CAS), in České Budějovice, within the graduate study programme of the University of South Bohemia (USB). The instutite performs research on human and animal parasites at the organismal, cellular and molecular levels. The successful candidate will join the group of Dr Jan Perner (Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Ticks), see more here: https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/sections/disease-vectors-and-pathogens/laboratory-of-molecular-biology-of-ticks/). The starting date will depend on the result of the admissions at the USB. You will enroll in the PhD program (4 years) at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia (https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en). Funding consists of a combination of a research grant salary and a student stipend, fully covering living expenses in the Czech Republic with a comfortable margin. (You will work part-time at the BC CAS and part-time at the USB, full-time in total.) More about doctoral studies at the FoS USB: https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en/study-at-the-faculty/information-for-phd-students The Biology Centre is located in České Budějovice (max. 2 hours south of the capital Prague), a safe middle-sized city with ca. 100K inhabitants, relaxed atmosphere, historical centre and a breathtaking countryside around providing numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. It has a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS and the neighbouring University of South Bohemia. Check out our Guide for Expats (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/) to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic. The Biology Centre holds the HR Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating and fair. For more information about the researchers recruitment policy at our institution, see our OTM-R (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/). We provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support). To apply, please send us your structured CV, motivation letter, contact details for at least 2 references and a copy of diploma in one single pdf document via the REPLY button at the end of our official website: https://jobs.bc.cas.cz/en/detail/278 Further inquiries can be directed to Dr Jan Perner (perner@paru.cas.cz).