Biologické centrum AV ČR
PhD Position: High-Elevation Butterfly Evolution and Adaptation Research **Position Overview** We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our international team at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This exciting research project focuses on understanding rapid evolution and adaptation in butterflies flying at high elevations. The PhD research will investigate climatic niche evolution and species diversification in tropical mountain butterflies (Pierini whites), and test for adaptive evolution of flight performance in species from the tropical Andes of Peru. **Key Responsibilities** You will conduct extensive fieldwork along two elevational transects (approximately 1,500–4,000 m) in Peru, performing behavioral experiments to quantify butterfly flight performance. Research visits to European collaborators and Natural History Museums are planned, where you will measure wing shape, size and coloration using morphometric and modern imaging tools. This comprehensive framework will enable you to assess how environmental drivers, phylogenetic history and eco-morphological variation shape high-elevation butterfly adaptation. **What We Offer** You will benefit from international networking, hands-on training and research mobility within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment. **Required Qualifications** - Master's degree in biology or related fields (awarded before start) - Excellent communication skills in English - Demonstrated independence and research productivity Priority will be given to candidates who have co-authored at least one scientific publication (submitted or accepted). Experience with morphometric analysis, climatic niche modelling and/or significant fieldwork experience in tropical mountains is highly advantageous. **Comprehensive Benefits Package** - 5 weeks paid holiday annually - Subsidized lunches in on-site canteen - Pension insurance contribution - Support for leisure sports and cultural activities - Full health insurance and social security - Student benefits for PhD students - Free Czech language classes - Professional training and mentoring programs - Concessionary services with contractual operators and banks - Campus-based daycare for employees' children from age 1 - Welcome service and ongoing support for international employees - English-speaking, friendly and stimulating international working environment - Excellent work-life balance in České Budějovice, offering diverse activities - Employment at a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance **Program Details** You will enroll in the 4-year PhD program at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia. Funding combines research grant salary and student stipend, fully covering living expenses in the Czech Republic with comfortable margin. **Location** The research facility is located at the Biology Centre CAS in České Budějovice, a charming historical city in southern Czech Republic, easily accessible from Prague and Vienna. This safe, mid-sized city of approximately 100,000 inhabitants features a relaxed atmosphere, historical center, and stunning countryside providing numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. The city hosts a growing international expert community at both the Biology Centre CAS and the neighboring University of South Bohemia. **Work Environment** Our Department of Ecology at the Institute of Entomology maintains a highly diverse and international working environment. The Biology Centre holds the HR Award, ensuring our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating and fair. **Application Information** Application deadline: January 11, 2026 Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in English Expected start: Spring 2026 (flexible start date) **Application Requirements** Submit your application in English as a single PDF containing: - Cover letter outlining your motivation, relevant background and skills, and potential research plans (maximum 2 pages) - CV including contact details of at least two referees familiar with your work The Biology Centre provides comprehensive welcome services for international employees, including visa application assistance, administration support, and relocation guidance.
Biologické centrum AV ČR
Přehled Institute of Soil Biology and Biochemistry of the Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, welcomes applications for a four-year PhD student position in soil fauna effects on soil organic matter stability. We are seeking a motivated individual with a strong interest in soil organic matter dynamics. Workplace: Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry Department: Biogeochemistry Section Laboratory: Soil Biochemistry Employment relationship: Employment contract Job type: Researcher Researcher profile: R1 Duration: Fixed-term Job status: Part-time Job starting date: 1. 2. 2026 Min. education level: Master Degree or equivalent Field of education: Soil science or a related field JOB DESCRIPTION: Background Fauna is highly abundant in soils worldwide, but their potential in regulating carbon in soil and helping mitigate climate change remains unknown, which hampers effective and sustainable management of soils in the face of global change. About the project The PhD project, funded by the Czech Academy of Sciences, will tackle this research gap in various experiments that will mainly focus on how earthworms, nematodes, and springtails, individually and in combination with each other, affect the proportion and formation of particulate and mineral-associated organic matter. The research will be conducted on various scales, including laboratory experiments at the Biology Centre CAS, an Ecotron experiment at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, and field experiments in the Global Change Experimental Facility of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Germany. The successful candidate will perform physical fractionation of soil, biomarker (amino sugars) and DNA extractions, conduct gas-chromatographic measurements, and will be involved in setting up and maintaining laboratory and field experiments. REQUIREMENTS: The successful candidate should have: A master’s degree in soil science or a related field Previous experience in soil organic matter dynamics and stability and/or related to soil fauna Previous experience in statistical analysis of data, preferably in R Previous experience in biomarker extraction and gas-chromatographic analyses is a plus Organizational skills, reliability, and a sense of responsibility The ability to fluently communicate in English Good interpersonal skills and effective time management BENEFITS: 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) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This four-year PhD position, starting in February 2026, offers challenging part-time job that will push the frontiers of soil science. You will be part of an international team working in an inspiring and motivating workplace with friendly atmosphere. In addition to the oportunity to use the employment benefits above, you will receive an above-average PhD salary. The Biology Centre CAS 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. Three faculties and five research institutes dealing with aquatic and terrestrial biota are located on the same campus, allowing easy access to other researchers and resources. Living costs are low by international standards. Courses of Czech language are provided for foreign staff to reach a basic level of proficiency in everyday situations. Check out our Guide for Expats 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. We provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support). HOW TO APPLY: Applications, consisting of a cover letter and a CV, including a summary of previous work experience and education, should be submitted via the REPLY button at the end of our official website: https://jobs.bc.cas.cz/en/detail/270 The offer remains open until a suitable candidate is found and the position is filled. For further inquiries please contact Dr. Gerrit Angst: gerrit.angst@bc.cas.cz
Biologické centrum AV ČR
Přehled The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia, is seeking a postdoctoral scientist to work on ecogenomics and physiology of nitrifiers/methane-cyclers. Workplace: Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry Department: Microbial processes Section Laboratory: Microbes CaN cycle Employment relationship: Employment contract Job type: Researcher Researcher profile: R2 Duration: Fixed-term Job status: Full-time Hours per week: 40 Job starting date: 1. 5. 2026 Application deadline: 31. 12. 2025 Min. education level: PhD or equivalent Field of education: Microbial ecology, microbiology, bioinformatics, or alike JOB DESCRIPTION: Initially, the postdoc is expected to perform comparative genomic analyses with existing unpublished data sets of nitrifiers from extreme systems. At the same time, the postdoc will be asked to design and execute new research complementary to ongoing work in the lab that will either expand the comparative genomics approach, or open new directions to explore the ecology of nitrifying/methane-cycling microorganisms. More about the lab: https://microbescancycle.wordpress.com/ https://www.upb.cas.cz/en/structure/microbial-processes/microbes-can-cycle/ YOUR PROFILE: Doctorate degree in microbial ecology, microbiology, bioinformatics, or alike Demonstrated background in the application of molecular and bioinformatic techniques for characterizing the identity and ecophysiology of microbial community members Experience in microbial ecology of nitrifying and/or methane-cycling microorganisms, amplicon/metagenome/metatranscriptome/proteome sequencing and the associated bioinformatics, or cultivation of chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms is an advantage Strong communication and academic writing skills in English Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment WE OFFER: 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Employment conditions: Start date: May 1st 2026, but flexible by ± 2 months) Duration: 1.5 years, but option to extend Salary: gross of 52.000 CZK per month; a financial compensation for moving costs is available About the host institution: The Biology Centre CAS 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 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. We provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support). HOW TO APPLY: To apply, please send us the following via the REPLY button at the end of our official website https://jobs.bc.cas.cz/en/detail/267: A detailed CV (including a brief description of research interests, previous employments, and publication list) A motivation letter (max. 1 page) Contact details of two references (letters of recommendation are optional) Applications should be sent as a single pdf-document. Please abstain from sending application portraits. Informal inquiries can be directed to Dr. Anne Daebeler: anne.daebeler@bc.cas.cz
Biologické centrum AV ČR
**Laboratory Technician - Algal Research** **About Us** The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences is seeking a highly motivated laboratory technician to join Dr. Lenka Caisová's research group. Our team is developing the green multicellular alga Draparnaldia as a revolutionary new model system to study developmental complexity and adaptations to terrestrial habitats. This groundbreaking research has gained international recognition, with Draparnaldia being selected as the Alga of the Year 2025 by the German Botanical and Algological Society. **Position Overview** This part-time position (20 hours/week) offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge algal research while developing fundamental tools and resources for the global algal and plant research communities. **Key Responsibilities** • Set up and maintain efficient laboratory systems • Manage inventory of chemicals, consumables, and equipment to ensure optimal availability • Maintain and update laboratory supply ordering systems for timely restocking • Clean and maintain glassware and plastic laboratory equipment • Operate autoclaves for material and media sterilization • Coordinate with media kitchen team to align laboratory workflow • Prepare and maintain stock solutions for algae cultivation • Accurately prepare nutrient media for algae research and experiments **Required Qualifications** • Bachelor's degree minimum • Previous experience with media preparation and laboratory organization • Ability to work independently under sterile conditions (essential for algae transfer) • Strong organizational skills and flexibility in task prioritization • Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken) • Ability to collect data, maintain laboratory journals, and share findings transparently • Independent work capability under researcher guidance **Preferred Qualifications** • Previous experience with algae or protists **What We Offer** • Two-year contract (2026-2027) with negotiable start date of January 1, 2026 • Comprehensive benefits package including 5 weeks paid holiday, subsidized meals, pension contributions, and full health insurance • Professional development opportunities including Czech language classes, training programs, and mentoring • Family-friendly campus with daycare services for children from age 1 • International, English-speaking work environment • Work-life balance in České Budějovice, a picturesque university city with rich cultural offerings • Welcome service and ongoing support for international employees **Location** České Budějovice, Czech Republic - a safe, vibrant city of 100,000 residents located two hours south of Prague, featuring a historic center and stunning countryside perfect for research and leisure activities. **Application Requirements** Submit the following documents in English by December 15, 2025, 23:59 CET: • Motivation letter • Structured CV • Diploma Interviews will be conducted following the application deadline. The Biology Centre maintains HR Award standards, ensuring a transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory selection process.