Výběrová řízení

We are looking for highly motivated master/PhD students with interest in:

• corruption, ethics, and social norms,
• economic sociology, political sociology, or organisational studies,
• quantitative and/or qualitative social research methods.

Depending on the candidate’s profile and interests, the PhD project may focus more strongly on quantitative analysis (survey design, statistical modelling, cross-national data) or on qualitative research (interviews, case studies, analysis of organisational practices).

Applicants must:

• hold a Master’s degree in sociology, political science, social sciences, or a closely related field and be a PhD student or applying for a PhD programme in 2026, or
• be in the final stage of their Master’s studies, with a clear plan to enrol in a PhD programme starting in 2026.

 What we offer

• Employment contract for up to 4.5 years, linked to the duration of the project.
• Workload between 0.5 and 1.0 FTE, based on mutual agreement.
• Competitive salary in line with CAS regulations.
• Full integration into an international, multi-method research team.
• Close academic supervision and mentoring, including support for publishing in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Funding for conference participation, training, and short research stays abroad.
• A stimulating research environment at the Institute of Sociology CAS in Prague, with access to high-quality data infrastructure and international networks.
• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive work environment.

 Desired qualifications

• Strong academic motivation and interest in doctoral research.
• Solid background in social science methodology (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed).
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Very good command of English (working language of the project); knowledge of Czech is an advantage but not required.

 Application procedure

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter outlining their research interests and motivation for joining the project (max. 2 pages).
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s, if available).

Applications should be sent electronically to kristyna.basna@soc.cas.cz

The application deadline is 23 January 2026.

The review of applications will begin on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged.

For questions about the position or the project, please contact Dr Kristýna Bašná (kristyna.basna@soc.cas.cz)

About the project

The project examines how Czech businesses understand, internalise, and respond to corruption norms in domestic and international contexts. While corruption research has traditionally focused on public institutions, this project shifts attention to the private sector, analysing how firms define ethical boundaries and adapt their practices across different institutional environments.

The research combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including:

• original firm-level surveys in the Czech Republic,
• cross-national survey data,
• and in-depth qualitative case studies of Czech companies operating at home and abroad.

The project aims to produce high-quality international publications as well as policy-relevant outputs.

Odpovědí na tento inzerát či zasláním životopisu a dalších osobních materiálů dáváte souhlas se zpracováním Vašich osobních údajů za účelem zprostředkování zaměstnání v souladu s nařízením Evropského parlamentu a Rady (EU) 2016/679 o ochraně fyzických osob. Udělení souhlasu je možné kdykoliv odvolat.