Postdoctoral Researcher position in Environmental Microbiology

Project description
The postdoctoral researcher position is founded by the Czech Science Foundation project ‘Plasmidome structure of the Acinetobacter genus in relation to its ecological diversity‘. This project aims to show the dynamics of Acinetobacter plasmid-mediated gene flow across environmental boundaries.
Plasmids substantially contribute to bacterial evolution, and research on their ecology aids in understanding how opportunistic pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii adapt to various environmental pressures. However, current research on clinical A. baumannii plasmids remains largely disconnected from studies on environmental Acinetobacter plasmids, and important gene flows between clinical and non-clinical settings may thus remain hidden.
The postdoc will analyze plasmid-mediated gene sharing across Acinetobacter spp. from well-defined environments, each representing varying levels of antibiotic selection pressure (hospitals, farms and pristine nature), using multilayer network analysis. The plasmid sequences will be delivered through whole genome sequencing of available Acinetobacter isolates representing diverse species prevailing in hospitals, farms or pristine nature, as well as ubiquitous species.

Postdoc tasks:

• Plasmid sequence annotation
• Building and analyzing multilayer networks based on plasmid sequence sharing across species and environments
• Interpreting data and writing publications
• Sequence submission to databases and data management

Requirements:

• PhD in Microbial Ecology, Ecology, Microbiology, Biostatistics, Computational Science or similar subjects
• Proficiency in R programming
• Fluent English
• Good communication and writing skills
• Creativity and enthusiasm

Additional skills considered an advantage:

• Previous experience with (multilayer) network analysis
• DNA sequence analysis (assembly, annotation, functional gene analysis)
• Proficiency in bash programming
• Laboratory experience with microbiology and molecular biology techniques

Contract details:

• This is a full-time (40 hours per week) temporary position with an initial one-year contract and the possibility of extension up to a total of 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Remuneration: 65,000 CZK/month (ca. 2,700 EUR), which represents a good living standard in Czechia.
• The contract covers health insurance and contribution to social security system.
• Flexible working hours, 30 days of paid vacation per year.

Group and campus detail
The Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology is a friendly international group of about 30 members, focused on diverse topics within soil microbial ecology (https://mbu.cas.cz/en/research/laboratory-of-environmental-microbiology). The laboratory provides most necessary facilities for microbiology, bacterial genomics, metagenomics and computation, while many others are available on the campus.
The Institute of Microbiology is located in spacious green campus in the outskirt of Prague, 30 min from the city center by public transportation. With more than five hundred employees and two hundred students represents a key national institution performing research in different fields of microbiology. Research community in the campus is fully international, working language is English. Language courses (e.g., Czech and English) are available for the employees of the institute. The campus includes dining services, child-care center, temporary housing and sport facilities.

Starting date: 1st of July 2026

To apply for the position, send a detailed CV (including education, previous employments, list of publications), motivation letter, copy of your PhD diploma, at least one reference letter, and contact details for 2 referees to , email subject: postdoc.5.2026.MBU

Please submit your application to email:  and make sure to include this identification code: Postdoc.5.2026.MBU, as it is essential for processing your application.

Application deadline: 30/04/2026

Dovolujeme si Vás informovat, že zasláním odpovědi na inzerát poskytujete příslušnému správci své osobní údaje za účelem realizace výběrového řízení a případného uzavření pracovní smlouvy nebo dohody (DPP, DPČ) ohledně Vámi vybrané pozice. Toto zpracování Vašich osobních údajů je prováděno na právním základě splnění smlouvy dle čl. 6 odst. 1 písm. b) obecného nařízení o ochraně osobních údajů (GDPR).

Vaše osobní údaje budou zpracovávány pouze v nezbytném rozsahu a po dobu trvání výběrového řízení na danou pozici. Všechny materiály obsahující osobní údaje neúspěšných kandidátů budou bez zbytečného odkladu, nejpozději do 6 měsíců od ukončení výběrového řízení, vymazány nebo skartovány.

Zpracování Vašich osobních údajů bude dostatečně zabezpečeno a nebudou bez Vašeho souhlasu předávány třetím osobám. V souladu s příslušnými právními předpisy máte právo:
(i) na přístup k osobním údajům,
(ii) na opravu či doplnění nepřesných nebo nepravdivých osobních údajů,
(iii) na výmaz osobních údajů,
(iv) na omezení zpracování osobních údajů ve zvláštních případech,
(v) na přenositelnost údajů,
(vi) vznést námitku proti zpracování,
(vii) obrátit se na Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů.

Anglická verze:

We would like to inform you that by responding to the job advertisement, you provide the relevant data controller with your personal data for the purpose of conducting the recruitment process and potentially concluding an employment contract or agreement (DPP, DPČ) for the position you have applied for. This processing of your personal data is carried out on the legal basis of fulfilling a contract according to Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Your personal data will be processed only to the necessary extent and for the duration of the recruitment process for the given position. All materials containing personal data of unsuccessful candidates will be deleted or shredded without undue delay, and at the latest within 6 months from the completion of the recruitment process.

The processing of your personal data will be sufficiently secured, and it will not be shared with third parties without your consent. In accordance with applicable legal regulations, you have the right to:

(i)                  access your personal data, 

(ii)                 rectify or supplement inaccurate or incomplete personal data, 

(iii)               request the deletion of your personal data, 

(iv)               request the restriction of processing of your personal data in certain cases, 

(v)                 data portability, 

(vi)                object to processing, 

(vii)             contact the Office for Personal Data Protection.