Junior Group Leader - Insect Molecular Physiology

Institute of Entomology

Department of Molecular Physiology and Genetics

Employment contract

The Institute of Entomology seeks a Junior Group Leader to conduct research in any area of molecular insect science. The expected starting date is during the first half of 2027, with the exact date to be agreed upon with the selected candidate.The Institute is part of the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, one of the largest and best performing research sites in the Czech Republic. Sharing a campus with the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, the Institute provides a great international environment for work and personal life. 

Research support and conditions for this position:

• Opportunity to set own independent research direction
• Three-year position with extension and status promotion subject to peer evaluation
• Start-up package of up to 300k EUR covering the PI, PhD student and technician, part-time, salaries for the initial 2.5 years, plus basic equipment, to be negotiated
• Office and laboratory space
• Access to high-end facilities including electron microscopy, confocal and light microscopy, metabolomics and analytical biochemistry
• Administration support and help with personal, economic, legal, project, and IT needs
• Opportunity to supervise PhD and undergraduate students

• Hold a PhD degree and have relevant international postdoctoral experience,
• Have a promising competitive track record in a relevant field of research,
• Establish their own group and conduct independent research, committed to excellence,
• Find synergy in collaboration with other research groups at the institute,
• Secure competitive international funding, e.g. ERC, EMBO, MSCA, and national funding,
• Attain partial funding independence by the third year.

• 5 weeks of paid holiday yearly, subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Pension insurance contribution, support of leisure sport & cultural activities
• Full health insurance and social security, student benefits for PhD students
• Free Czech language classes, professional trainings and mentoring programme
• Concessionary services at the contractual operator and bank
• Campus-based daycare for employees' children from the age of 1 year
• Welcome service and further support for foreigners (HR Award)
• English speaking, friendly & stimulating international working environment
• Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for various activities
• Working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance

The Biology Centre is located in České Budějovice (max. 2 hours south of the capital Prague), a safe middle-sized city with ca. 100K inhabitants, relaxed atmosphere, historical centre and a breathtaking countryside around providing numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. It has a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS and the neighbouring University of South Bohemia. Check out our Guide for Expats to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic.

The Biology Centre holds the HR Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating and fair. For more information about the researchers recruitment policy at our institution, see our OTM-R. We provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support).

Please submit your application using the REPLY button below by 30 August 2026. The application should include your CV, contacts to 2–4 professional references, and a motivation letter describing your research plans, max. 4 pages.

The selection process will consist of two rounds. In the first round, the selection committee will review the submitted materials. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the second round of interviews, planned for October 2026.

In case of any questions regarding the position, please contact Vladimír Košťál at kostal@entu.cas.cz.