Overview
This program focuses on physical anthropology and biology, genetics, ecology, and human ethology. It studies the ontogenetic and phylogenetic development of humans, evolution, morphological variability of populations, ethnicity, growth, composition of the human body, biological properties, and the influence of environmental factors on humans. Molecular genetic studies include analyses of receptor genes and genetic polymorphisms in variable regions of human chromosomes. Applied specializations encompass forensic, clinical, functional, and ergonomic anthropology. Skeletal and dental anthropology hold a specific position.
Start of studies in the winter semester (October)
Opening of applications and publication of the dissertation topics: 15. 2. 2026
Application by: 30. 4. 2026
Detailed information about the study programme
Offer of dissertation topics:
- Bioarchaeology and taphonomy of the past human European populations
- Biology of aging in biomedicine and evolution
- Development of a Software-Based Framework for Biological Sex Estimation from the Human Pelvis
- Effect of lower limb posture on musculoskeletal loading and walking energetics
- Musculoskeletal modeling and simulation of lower limb bone loading during locomotion
Profile of the graduate
The Anthropology and human genetics is oriented to the biological anthropology with connection to retrospective anthropology, biomedical anthropology and genetics, and human ecology. The study program is oriented also on ontogeny and human evolution, on studies of variability and adaptability recent and past human populations both in the level of molecular anthropology and morphology mainly based on their field specialization and dissertation project. The field is also concentrated on studies of growth and development, studies of human body. Molecular genetics is oriented on studies of human polymorphic variation associated with different human pathologies. The applied anthropological fields are oriented on forensic anthropology. One of the core specializations is toward the study of human osteology, both in the level of morphology ang function, but also in archeothanatology for example in the education in field anthropology and bioarchaeology.
Application submission
The application is submitted electronically through the Charles University study information system. The completed application must be submitted electronically in the study information system no later than on 30. 4. 2026 for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October).
The admission fee is 100 EUR and it is paid for each submitted application.
Required application appendice is the agreement of a supervisor in the format of the following form available here. We recommend reaching out to the supervisor as soon as possible (ideally before 31. 3. 2026 for study programmes starting in the winter semester), so the application could be send out in time in case the agreement is granted.
Entrance exam
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the winter semester (October) is in June 2026 (to be specified), an alternative date is in June 2026 (to be specified).
The request for an alternative day is submitted and approved via the electronic information system.
The form of the entrance exam is an oral interview, which mainly concerns the issues of the planned dissertation and the candidate’s knowledge within the field of expertise of the given study programme.
Find more information in:
- Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October).
Important links
Applicants with specific needs
If you have a physical handicap, you can apply for a modification of the entrance exam. For more information read the Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes.
Departments involved in this programme
Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics
Guarantor of the study programme
doc. Mgr. Vladimír Sládek, Ph.D.
vladimir.sladek@natur.cuni.cz
Do you have a question?
Complete information about the admission procedure can be found on the website for applicants. For questions, please contact the admissions contact persons.
