Postdoc in Plant Molecular Biology

Ústav molekulární biologie rostlin

Terestrializace rostlin

Pracovní smlouva

Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Biology Centre CAS, Czechia, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join a new research group of Dr. Lenka Caisova.
Our group focuses on plant terrestrialization and evolution of multicellularity. We study and compare aquatic algae and land plants using a wide range of experimental techniques to better understand the processes by which green plants came from water to land and became multicellular. The project will build on an establishment of the multicellular alga Draparnaldia as a new model system   (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.12.612648v1).

Our laboratory is a part of the prestigious ERA Chair project within the Horizon Europe programme. We are located at the Institute of Plant Molecular Biology at the Biology Centre CAS based in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Biology Centre CAS ranks among the largest scientific institutions engaged in environmentally oriented research in Europe. Ceske Budejovice is a university city and it has been evaluated as one of the best places to live in the Czech Republic.

As a member of our research group, your primary responsibilities will include planning and conducting experiments; data analysis; close collaboration and communication with team members and collaborators such as Jiri Friml (ISTA, Austria). You will also have the opportunity to publish your research in high impact international journals and present it at international conferences. 

If you are interested in curiosity driven research that combines multidisciplinary approach and collaborations with world leading experts in the field, please contact us at lenka.caisova@umbr.cas.cz.

Competitive candidates:

• have a PhD degree in molecular biology and/or genetics
• should have a broad knowledge in the field of plant molecular biology/genetics
• experience with cloning strategies
• have enthusiasm for science; creativity, critical thinking, strong commitment
• motivation to learn new techniques and drive your research forward
• enjoy working in a team (willing to help and get help from others)
• should be fluent in English (oral and written)

We offer:

• full time position for two years (between 2025-2027) with possibility of extension
• tentative starting date (negotiable) 01. 01. 2025
• opportunity for professional growth
• support for career development and mentoring
• international team, collaborations and opportunities to travel
• English speaking, stimulating, and friendly environment
• administrative support with relocation & settlement in the Czech Republic

• 5 weeks of paid holiday yearly (for 1 FTE)
• subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• benefits from Social fund, support of leisure time activities
• working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance
• free language classes – Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs
• concessionary mobile tariff at the contractual operator
• concessionary banking services at the contractual bank

The Biology Centre is located in České Budějovice (2 hours south of the capital Prague), a middle-sized city with ca. 100K inhabitants, relaxed atmosphere, over 750 years of tradition and a breathtaking countryside around. Both the town and the surrounding countryside provide numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. There is also a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS (BC CAS) and the University of South Bohemia (USB). In addition, the living costs are still low by international standards. 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 of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Award. Our selection process meets European standards for recruitment of researchers (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/) and we provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support). Gender equality plan (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/about-us/gender-equality) has been accepted in 2022.

Please submit your (1) motivation letter, (2) structured CV, and (3) PhD diploma via the REPLY button below by 20. 11. 2024 23:59 CET.

All documents in the application should be in English. Interviews with selected applicants will be held after the application deadline. Informal inquiries can be directed via email to lenka.caisova@umbr.cas.cz.