Principal Investigator In Fish Diseases Impacting Aquaculture

Institute of Parasitology

Fish Parasitology

Employment contract

Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences is a research center with a strong tradition in biosciences, focused on complex ecological, evolutionary & developmental aspects of life. We are looking for a junior researcher to join the Institute of Parasitology, one of the BC institutes, as a group leader for the Laboratory of Fish Immunology. The Institute of Parasitology (https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/) is one of the largest European centers of parasitological research and provides all state-of-the-art facilities required to undertake a multi-disciplinary repertoire of methods for studies on host-parasite interactions at the organismal, cellular and molecular level. 
The key duties are to develop a research and outreach program on the intersection of immunology, microbiology, parasitology and disease prevention reflecting the needs of the aquaculture industry. Candidates should have a strong record of research accomplishment focused on immunology and host-pathogen interactions, have led nationally or internationally funded projects, and have a commitment to developing collaborative translational research programs. Anticipated duties and responsibilities include further developing excellence in science in the relevant field, involving and attracting graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. 

• PhD certificate and relevant international research experience
• Demonstrated promising track record based on publications in comparative immunology, aquaculture, and fish diseases 
• Demonstrated capacity to acquire competitive funding from governmental and/or commercial funding sources

• 5 weeks of paid holiday yearly (for 1 FTE)
• Subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Standard health insurance and social security
• Benefits from Social fund 
• Daycares for children from 1 – 6 years old
• 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 language classes (Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs)
• Opportunity to take part in mentoring programmes as a mentor or a mentee
• Concessionary services at the contractual operator and bank

• Three-year position with extension of employment based on evaluation
• Competitive start-up based on negotiation
• Office and large, fully equipped laboratory space (DNA lab, RNA lab, protein lab, fish dissection)
• Full access to central research infrastructure and equipment
• Fish facility with 2 independent RAS systems holding 48 aquaria of 40 to 80 liters capacity, as well as isolation tanks
• Opportunity to supervise PhD, MSc & BSc students of the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia (same campus)
• Professional career development opportunities

Interviews with selected applicants will be held in March 2024.

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 CV (max 4 pages) and a motivation letter with detailed description of planned research for the next 5 years (max 4 pages), in a single pdf file via the "REPLY" button below.

For additional information please contact Dr. Alena Zíková: azikova@paru.cz