PhD Position in Biodiversity of European Woodlands

Institute of Entomology

Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Laboratory of Woodland Ecology

Employment contract

The Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Czechia, opens a PhD position in Biodiversity of European woodlands in the time of changes.

The PhD student will become a part of an international research team and participate on studies investigating the impact of disturbances connected to climate change (wildfires, droughts, tornadoes), globalisation (alien organisms), and management changes on biota of European forests. The studies use multi-taxa approach (with focus on insects) to answer specific questions on several trophic and functional levels:

(1) What is the response of communities to a wildfire in a protected area?
(2) What is the impact of recent severe droughts and decline of dominant tree species on biodiversity in lowland forests?
(3) What is the effect of experimental removal of a dominant alien tree species?

The research is tightly connected to conservation management planning and to forest management to enhance the biodiversity in both protected and unprotected landscapes. The student will participate on fieldwork, perform data analysis and paper writing. They will obtain training in various aspects of woodland ecology and conservation, as well as various methods of community ecology (including metabarcoding) and advanced statistical modelling.

The applicant should have following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in biology or related fields (must be awarded prior to the starting date)
• Will to learn, ability to work in a team as well as individually, passion for fieldwork and/or insects
• Basic knowledge of statistical analysis
• Good communication skills in English
• Driving licence B

• 5 weeks of paid holiday per year (for 1 FTE)
• Subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Standard health insurance and social security
• Benefits from Social fund and student benefits
• Working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance
• Welcome service and further support for foreigners (HR Award)
• Friendly & stimulating international working environment
• Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for outdoor, sport & cultural activities
• Free Czech language classes
• Opportunity to take part in mentoring programmes as a mentor or a mentee
• Concessionary mobile tariff and banking services at the contractual operator and bank

Details about the position:

The student will enrol into PhD programme (4 years) at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en, and become a member of a progressive, well-established research team at the Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/ (Laboratory of Woodland Ecology lead by Dr. Lukáš Čížek, https://www.oldtree.cz/).

The PhD student will get research grant salary (50%, Biology Centre CAS) combined with student stipends (50%, University of South Bohemia), together comfortably covering living expenses in the Czech Republic.

Applications will be received until the position is filled. Initial deadline is 15 December 2023. The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview in English via video-call. The starting date of the work is upon agreement, but the successful applicant is expected to start in February 2024.

Background:

The research facility is situated in České Budějovice (see below), South Bohemia, Czech Republic, within easy reach from Prague and Vienna. Laboratory of Woodland Ecology is a part of the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/departments/department-of-biosystematics-and-ecology/laboratory-of-woodland-ecology/). Institute of Entomology (head: Prof. Vojtěch Novotný) produces highly competitive research in different fields of insect science all over the world, including temperate and tropical research, community ecology, molecular ecology and practical conservation. The environment is diverse, international and welcoming.

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Excellence in Research 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.

Ceske Budejovice (2 hours south of the capital Prague) is 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, https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/) and the University of South Bohemia (USB, https://www.jcu.cz/en/). 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.

If interested, please send your application via the REPLY button below. Application must be written in English and include the following documents as a PDF file:
• Cover letter, stating your motivation, how your background and skills fit the project (max. 2 pages).
• CV, including contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail:
Mr Pavel Šebek (pav.sebek@gmail.com)
Ms Alena Sucháčková (al.bartonova@gmail.com)
Mr Lukáš Čížek (lukascizek@gmail.com)