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

Researcher/Postdoc position

Workplace: RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
Type of Contract: temporary position with 1-year contract (with possible extension), non-academic
Working Hours: 40 FTE (full-time employment of 40 hours per week)
Expected Start Date: 1.7.2025 or negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non-EU candidates
Number of Open Positions: 1
Pay: 55 000 – 65 000 CZK
Application Deadline: 31.3.2025
EU Researcher Profile: R2

About the Workplace

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, 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 an experienced, innovative, independent and highly motivated 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. The major task of the researcher will be the translation of known pollution-biota interactions into ecosystem services distortions, the development of the mathematical models for that, and the calculation of impacts in various real use cases and different scenarios. It will be needed to consolidate current knowledge into the following nexus: the effects of defined pollutants on soil biota ==> the roles of that biota in soil functions ==> the connection of these functions to ecosystem services. This  sequence will need to be modelled, and the dependencies quantified to enable modelling of the soil pollution – ecosystem services relationships.The researcher will be supported to visit relevant conferences, training, and scientific stays and to prepare side projects to improve the scientific career.

The position is open within the international collaborative Horizon Europe project SOILPROM, with the main aim to deliver upgraded and integrated models for pollutant transport and fate that assess the impact of soil pollution on soil functions and related ecosystem services. More information about the project, its partners, and others is here: https://soilprom.eu/

The project team at RECETOX will consist of a new researcher at RECETOX hired via this call (a major researcher fully focused on the project tasks), a new PhD student, and, optionally, an undergraduate student. The team will be supervised and coordinated by Prof. Jakub Hofman.

Key Duties:

  • Producing the project milestones and deliverables
  • Participating in the project meetings
  • Collaborating with all project partners across the work packages
  • Publishing the results and presenting them at international conferences

Skills and Qualifications

  • Ph.D. certification in the area of ecotoxicology and/or ecology and/or environmental sciences or closely related disciplines
  • Previous sufficient experience and praxis in all of the following areas:
    • ecotoxicology and/or ecology and/or environmental sciences;
    • ecosystem services; 3) risk assessment;
    • ecological/environmental data analysis and modelling;
    • programming in R
      These must be documented in provided CV and in motivation letter (list skills one by one and provide commentary justifying the expertise)
  • Previous focus on soil is beneficial but not a condition
  • Enthusiasm and eagerness to gain insight into the research topic
  • Independence, creativity and innovative spirit to develop novel tools and concepts
  • Experience and high motivation to present and publish scientific results
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal English communication and teamwork skills

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 or nursery/children´s group allowance, a financial meal allowance, lunches in canteens of MU, Multisport card, vaccinations free of charge, discounted language courses, exclusive mobile tariff offer by Vodafone, childcare groups
  • 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 31.3.2025 via an e-application here.

The candidate shall provide following:

  • CV
  • Cover letter describing candidate’s research interest and experience
  • Summary of research outputs and publications
  • Names and contact details of at least 2 professional references

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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