Přehled

Workplace: Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environments, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic

Thesis Topic: Synthetic population modelling and applications

Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Petr Kubíček, CSc.

Consultant: Mgr. Dajana Snopková, Ph.D.

Type of Cooperation: PhD fellowship (more information on PhD study programmes at the Faculty of Science here)

Expected Start Date: September 2025

Application Deadline:  June 6, 2025

About the Workplace

We are looking for highly motivated graduates to join the Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environments at the Department of Geography, the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. The Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science is the second largest university geographic institution in the Czech Republic. The department carries out multidisciplinary scientific research and teaching activities in the interconnected fields of human geography, physical geography, geoinformatics and geographic cartography. The staff of the Institute of Geography is involved in many research grants and projects, as well as a wide range of application projects.

Masaryk University is modern, dynamic and the most attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 6500 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.

Description

Selected student(s) will have an opportunity to become a part of the recently started project „Society on the move: opportunities and risks of new forms of mobility for Czech society and economy“. One of the partial goals of the project is to create a synthetic population from census survey data, which will be further enriched with new data sources, such as mobile operator data, service utilization (e.g. Google Popular times), and results of empirical studies. Agent models will be used to simulate how this synthetic population responds to changes in transport demand and supply.

We are looking for someone with a background in Computational sciences or Geomatics, with a focus on simulations, agent-based modelling, advanced statistical methods and familiarity with the concept of digital twins. Interest and enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and large language models are appreciated.

Offered Conditions

Selected candidates will receive a comprehensive training in scientific writing and open science methodology.

Besides, studying at our Faculty is an opportunity to study and live in a modern and dynamic city and one of 10 best student cities.

In addition to the standard PhD scholarship at Masaryk University (CZK 15 000 per month), additional funds are provided through departmental resources (assignment in research projects, additional scholarships). An overall monthly income is typically around CZK 25 000. Additional support includes performance-based bonuses (scholarships for successfully published papers) as well as support for international mobility or attendance of conferences etc.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Geoinformatics, Geomatics or related field of research (required at the time of enrolment to the PhD study program)
  • Prior training/experience in agent-based modelling, and advanced statistical computation methods, large language models (positively evaluated during the interview and selection process)
  • Good communication skills (oral and written) in English
  • High level of commitment to complete the PhD studies

How to Apply

Please send your curriculum vitae, cover letter with a concise summary of your previous research activities, certificates and transcripts of any academic qualifications to: Professor Petr Kubíček (kubicek@geogr.muni.cz)

Selection Process

Received applications will be continuously reviewed and carefully considered. Shortlisted applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to an interview.

Please note that your application does not substitute an official admission process to Ph.D. studies at SCI MUNI. Details including discussion about the research topic, required documentation or formalities will be a subject of the interview with successful candidates. Only upon the informal pre-agreement with potential future supervisor, a formal application for PhD studies at Faculty of Science, Masaryk University can be submitted.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

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