Přehled

Job Vacancy
Call for a postdoctoral position within the CLOSER Project
Prague, Czech Republic

The Institute of International Relations Prague (IIR) is an independent public research institution that conducts excellent academic research in the larger field of international relations. It is established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. The IIR’s mission is to conduct internationally recognized, excellent basic and applied research in the field of international studies, contribute to the formation and conduct of Czech foreign policy, and increase awareness of international relations issues among both professionals and the public. The institute is an active member of several international research networks. Located in the historical centre of Prague, its venue and library provide a stimulating environment for scholars and students of international relations.

A full-time postdoctoral position is to be filled at the Institute of International Relations Prague (IIR), within the CLOSER project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC). This interdisciplinary project aims to explore social cleavage and party politics in the post-Ottoman space of the Middle East and North Africa.

The position is to be filled at the Institute of International Relations; to work as part of a team of political scientists (the rest of the team will be hosted at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences). CLOSER also encompasses two other teams: historians working at the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and geographers at Brussels Free University (ULB). Based at the Institute of International Relations, the successful candidate will conduct their research in the framework of the project.

You can find an overview of the CLOSER project here: https://www.iir.cz/en/party-systems-and-social-cleavages-in-the-post-ottoman-space-of-the-mena-region-closer-1

Description of the position

The successful candidate will be part of the ERC CLOSER team of political scientists. During the first year in Prague, they will benefit from specific interdisciplinary training, together with the PhD students and senior researchers from the three teams on the project. During the second year, they are expected to do field research in the studied country, within an interdisciplinary team of researchers belonging to the project. During the third year in Prague, they will participate in a series of workshops to discuss their findings in relation to the project.

Theme of the research project

The candidate’s research project should cover the following theme: Peasant and environmental mobilisations in politics. The candidate will do a quantitative cross-country comparison at the scale of the six-case studies part of the CLOSER project (Türkiye, Former British Mandate for Palestine, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt and Tunisia). An additional focus on Lebanon would be a plus.

Conditions of eligibility

  • Completed PhD degree in political science, international relations, area studies, political sociology, public law, or a related field before December 31, 2026 (if the PhD is not defended yet, the defense should be planned before this date).
  • Fluency in English (both written and spoken).
  • Ability to do fieldwork and read documents in Arabic, Hebrew and/or Turkish.
  • Capacity to work in a team.

What we offer

Gross salary: 61,111 Czech crowns / month (app. 2,500 euros)
Start Date: October 1, 2026
Duration: 36 months of full-time employment
Location: Prague, Czech Republic (the office is located in the center of Prague)
Application Deadline: June 21, 2026

Benefits

  • Funds for field research for approximately one year.
  • Acquirement of new skills (interviews, surveys, data management, maps creation, archival research).
  • Research of a timely topic with a high level of social relevance under a prestigious ERC label. Intellectually stimulating, fully internationalized research environment (English as a working language in the research department communication).
  • Good work / life balance (flexible working hours and home office).
  • Motivational bonuses are based on researchers’ publications.
  • Six weeks of vacation per year.

How to apply
Candidates are kindly requested to send the following materials by email to jobs@iir.cz and to steuer@iir.cz:

  1. CV
  2. Research proposal, fitting within the CLOSER theoretical framework. 2 pages (+ list of references), including the theoretical framework, a review of literature, the methodology and a data collection plan;
  3. Writing sample (PhD dissertation chapter or published article);
  4. Proofs of language proficiency (in English and Arabic/Hebrew/Turkish);
  5. PhD diploma, or an official document delivered by the university confirming that the defense is planned before December 31, 2026.

Inquiries regarding the research scope and the project can be sent to steuer@iir.cz

Recruitment process

The deadline for sending the applications is June 21, 2026. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed online by the end of June.

The Institute of Internal Relations Prague is a fair opportunity employer.

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