Výběrová řízení

07. 07. 2026
Etnologický ústav AV ČR, v. v. i. vyhlašuje v souladu se zákonem č. 283/1992 Sb. o Akademii věd České republiky, ve znění zákona č. 420/2005 Sb. a Stanov AV ČR výběrové řízení na pozici Postdoktorand.

ERC Synergy Grant: ‘Cosmological Visionaries: Shamans, Scientists, and Climate Change at the Ethnic Borderlands of China and Russia’ (COSMOVIS); Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

Call for Applications: POSTDOCTORAL POSITION, fulltime (1,0 FTE)

THE INSTITUTION

The Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Prague, Czech Republic), invites applications for a fully funded postdoctoral position. The general aim of the Department of Ecological Anthropology, where the project is based, is to foster and produce world-leading and ethnographically grounded research on human experience, practices, and communities, all of which are inextricably a part of more-than-human lives and worlds.

PROJECT

Cosmological Visionaries is a 6-year project funded by the European Research Council Synergy Grant scheme (grant agreement number 856543, acronym COSMOVIS). It is comprised of two synergistically mirrored teams, the China Team led by Katherine Swancutt, Project Lead and Principal Investigator at the Institute of Ethnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Russia Team led by Olga Ulturgasheva, Principal Investigator at the University of Manchester. The project was launched in September 2020, and the researcher will join in its final phase, contributing to its research and research outputs as a member of the China Team. You can find more information about the project here.

POSITION

Under the supervision of Dr Katherine Swancutt and alongside members of the team, the researcher will conduct qualitative research and fieldwork focusing on the relationships between Indigeneity, local and transnational approaches to environmental science, and climate change in Southwest China. The researcher will work as part of a research team within the above-mentioned COSMOVIS project.

JOB OFFERS AT GLANCE

• Starting date: 1 November 2026 or as agreed
• Duration: 23-month position; an initial 12-month contract, extendable for a further 11 months to the end of the project (30 September 2028).
• FTE:  full-time position
• Workplace: Prague (candidates must be residents of Czechia or be ready to relocate to Czechia for the whole duration of the position)
• Salary: A gross monthly salary of 80,000 CZK (approx. 3300 EUR)

YOUR ELIGIBILITY  

• A Ph.D. in social and cultural anthropology, ethnology, or a related field, awarded prior to the start of the contract, or evidence that all requirements for the Ph.D. have been successfully completed by that date.
• Highly organized researcher with a demonstrated capability of working autonomously.
• Demonstrated research experience in ethnographic research and qualitative methods.
• A strong publication record or clear potential for high-quality academic outputs.
• Ability to conduct independent research while contributing to a collaborative research project.
• Willingness and ability to undertake fieldwork and travel as required by the project.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of fieldwork-related languages. Working knowledge of spoken Mandarin Chinese (B1 to B2 level) in speaking, reading, writing, and listening is required. Knowledge of Tibeto-Burman languages is a desirable advantage.
• Ability to present at international conferences and to contribute to communications aimed at the general public (blogposts, website, social media).
• Thematic expertise relevant to the project (e.g. the anthropology of religion, climate change, the ecology, and the environment) is an advantage. Previous research experience with Southwest Chinese communities is desirable.

WE OFFER

• A cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and the exciting broader research environment of the Institute of Ethnology and the Czech Academy of Sciences.
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced scholars within an innovative research project.
• Funding for project-related fieldwork and conference travel.
• Fees for open access publications.
• Training seminars and workshops to further professional development.
• Institutional affiliation with the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
• 25 days of paid annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a family-friendly work environment.
• Pleasant working environment in the centre of Prague.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, candidate is required to submit the following as a single PDF document comprising:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation to join the project team of no more than 2 pages.
• CV.
• A sample of a written work in English (unpublished work, such as a thesis chapter is also acceptable).
• The names and contact details of two potential referees.

Application should be emailed as a single file to recruitment@eu.cas.cz under the subject ‘COSMOVIS Postdoctoral position’ no later than 31 August 2026, 16:00 Central European Time.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in late September/early October.

FURTHER INFORMATION

We strongly recommend that prospective applicants contact Dr. Swancutt at swancutt@eu.cas.cz for further information regarding the COSMOVIS project prior to submitting the application.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

 

Uzávěrka přihlášek: 31. 08. 2026