Overview

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our team for a newly funded three-year interdisciplinary project “Global change, freshwater snails and ecosystem effects: Will smaller invasive species dominate?” 

Project Overview

The project will investigate the mechanisms and effects of species invasions along environmental gradients and their consequences for community- and ecosystem-level responses, using native and invasive freshwater snails as a model system. The project builds on our previous modelling studies (Sentis et al. 2017, Ecology Letters; Dijoux et al. 2024, Ecology Letters) and will utilise our on-site mesocosm facility (Duchet et al. 2024, Water Research; Duchet et al. 2025, Journal of Hazardous Materials). International collaborators include Assoc. Prof. Pavel Kratina (QMUL, London, UK), Dr. Arnaud Sentis (INRAE, Aix-en-Provence, France) and Prof. Otto Seppälä (University of Innsbruck, Austria).

Postdoctoral Position Details

You will be involved in the modelling component of the project.

Responsibilities include:

Modelling the ecosystem-level effects of warming, nutrient enrichment and species invasions using size- or stage-structured population models (e.g., in R, Matlab, or Python).
Writing scientific manuscripts and presenting findings at conferences.
This position is ideal for a postdoctoral researcher interested in interdisciplinary ecological research combining organismal biology, community ecology, and modern simulation methods.

This is a full-time position starting from May 2026, initially for one year, with possible extension until the end of 2028 based on performance. The starting date can be adjusted if needed. The monthly salary (~54,000 CZK = ~2,200 EUR in the first year, plus health insurance and pension contributions) is sufficient for comfortable living in the Ceske Budejovice region.

Required Qualifications

PhD in ecology, applied mathematics, or a related field.
Experience in modelling community dynamics; prior work with size- or stage-structured models is preferred.
Publication record commensurate with career stage.
The working environment is international; excellent communication skills in English are essential.

How to Apply

Please send an email with the subject “Postdoc Application – Snails Project” to Prof. David Boukal (dboukal@prf.jcu.cz) and attach a single PDF containing the following:

CV
Cover letter describing your motivation and relevant experience
Contact details for 2–3 referees.
Application deadline: 31 January 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed shortly after. 

Host institution: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecosystem Biology. České Budějovice is a relaxed city of ~100,000 inhabitants and is within easy reach of Prague and Vienna. The campus brings together the University and several research institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences, offering access to a vibrant research community and numerous modern facilities.

For questions or informal inquiries, please contact David Boukal (dboukal@prf.jcu.cz).