Overview

Bursar of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University announces an open competition for the position

Ph.D. Fellowship

Workplace: RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
Type of programme: 4-year Ph.D. programme with financial support for 4 years, non-academic position
Working Hours: 0,5 FTE (part-time employment of 20 hours per week)
Expected Start Date: negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non EU candidates
Number of Open Positions: 1
Pay: financial support for 4 years
Application Deadline: 30.09.2025
EU Researcher Profile: R1

About the Workplace

Masaryk University is modern, dynamic and the most attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 7 000 staff and 33 000 students, a wide range of research areas and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in the South Moravian Region.

Faculty of Science MU, a holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

RECETOX  focuses on interdisciplinary research and education in the area of Environment & Health, studying toxic compounds and their behavior, transport & bioaccumulation to evaluate environmental effects, assess the exposure and health risks to humans, and develop technologies and biotechnologies to break them down. http://www.recetox.muni.cz/en/career/career-at-recetox

Job Description

We are searching for a highly motivated, pro-active, creative, and independent young scientist for the research topic “Modelling the impacts of soil pollution on soil ecosystem services”. The topic is focused on ecosystem services, soil ecotoxicology, soil contamination, and ecological risk assessment. The work will be focused on metals, pesticides, microplastics, PFAS, and nutrients.

Key Goals:

  • collection of known pollution-biota interactions (reviewing, organization and harmonization into a database, parametrization for future mathematical modeling) for given groups of pollutants
  • identification of the following dependencies: impact on soil biota –> impairment of soil functions –> soil ecosystem services distortion (inventory of relationships from literature, organization into conceptual models)
  • quantification and parametrization of the dependencies to mathematical models and providing inputs to programming (cooperation with R programmer)
  • modelling impact on soil ecosystem services in various real use cases and different scenarios. (several SOILPROM case studies in different countries focusing on different pollutants)

More about the Ph.D. position

The PhD position is open within the international collaborative Horizon Europe project SOILPROM (https://soilprom.eu/), with the main aim of delivering upgraded and integrated models for pollutant transport and fate that assess the impact of soil pollution on soil functions and related ecosystem services. The PhD researcher will work in the small SOILPROM team at RECETOX, which will consist of the PhD researcher, a PostDoc researcher (R programmer, consultant), undergraduate students, and Prof. Jakub Hofman.

  • 4-year Ph.D. programme with financial support for 4 years
  • Interdisciplinary scientific topics
  • Supervision by experienced mentors and excellent scientists and tailored study plan
  • Excellent and state-of-the-art research infrastructure
  • International mobility and internships
  • International and friendly environment
  • Courses developing transferable skills

Skills and Qualifications

  • MSc in one or more of the following disciplines: ecology, ecotoxicology, environmental sciences, soil science, or closely related
  • previous sufficient experience/education in the following areas: ecosystem services, risk assessment, ecological/environmental data analysis and modelling, soil biology

Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to Prof. Jakub Hofman, email: jakub.hofman@recetox.muni.cz

We Offer

  • An interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area
  • Flexible working hours and occasional home office to support personal needs in family and career compatibility
  • Employee benefits such as 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, pension insurance contribution/long-term investment product/nursery/children´s group allowance, a financial meal allowance, Multisport card, psychological counselling, vaccinations free of charge, discounted language courses, exclusive mobile tariff offer by Vodafone)
  • Opportunity to work and live in a modern and dynamic city (for more information on costs of living, you can refer to Numbeo)
  • Welcome Office provides support with your relocation to Brno

Application Process

The application shall be submitted online by 30.9.2025 via an e-application here.

The candidate shall provide following:

  • CV
  • Cover letter

After submitting your application successfully, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from jobs.muni.cz. In case of problems with filling in the e-application form, please contact us by e-mail: rcx-hr@recetox.muni.cz.

Selection Process

Received applications will be considered carefully in line with principles of the EU Charter and Code for Researchers. Selection criteria: (i) meeting qualification requirements described above, (ii) all required documents provided.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal or online interview.

The Faculty Recruitment Policy (OTM-R) can be seen here.

Faculty of Science, Masaryk University is an equal opportunity employer. We support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Visit our Career page.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

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