Overview

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our international team at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. You will be part of an exciting research project aimed at understanding rapid evolution and adaptation in butterflies flying at high elevations. The goal of the PhD work is to infer climatic niche evolution and species diversification in tropical mountain butterflies (Pierini whites), and to test for adaptive evolution of flight performance in species from the tropical Andes of Peru.

You will have the opportunity to carry out extensive fieldwork along two elevational transects (approx. 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 expected, where you will measure wing shape, size and coloration using morphometric and modern imaging tools. This framework will allow you to assess how environmental drivers, phylogenetic history and eco-morphological variation shape high-elevation butterfly adaptation.

You will benefit from international networking, hands-on training and research mobility, working within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team. More about the lab: https://pavelmatos.wordpress.com/

Required qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in biology or related fields (awarded before start)
  • Good communication skills in English
  • Independence and documented 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 advantageous.

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)
  • 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:

The deadline for applications is January 11, 2026. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in English. The successful applicant is expected to begin in spring 2026 (start date is flexible).

You will enroll in the PhD program (4 years) at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia (https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en). Funding consists of a combination of a research grant salary and a student stipend, fully covering living expenses in the Czech Republic with a comfortable margin.

The research facility at the Biology Centre CAS (https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/) is in Ceske Budejovice, a charming historical city in the south of the country, within easy reach of Prague and Vienna (see more below). Our working environment (Department of Ecology, Institute of Entomology) is highly diverse and international.

The Biology Centre 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 (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/) 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 (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/). We provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support).

How to apply:

Send your application in English via the REPLY button at the end of our official website https://jobs.bc.cas.cz/en/detail/276, consisting of one single PDF containing the following:

  • Cover letter, outlining your motivation, how your background and skills fit the project, and your potential plans within the research focus of this position (max. 2 pages)
  • CV, including contact details of at least two referees familiar with your work

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Pável Matos-Maraví at pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz.

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