PhD - Rapid Evolution in Communities
We invite prospective candidates for a four-year PhD Studentship funded
by ERC grant of Jan Hrcek to explore exciting questions on the interface
of population genetics and community ecology.

It is increasingly clear that evolution can be rapid, with important
traits changing within a few generations. But we are only beginning to
understand the consequences of this eco-evolutionary process for dynamics
of host - parasite interactions and stability of entire communities. We
ask how rapid evolution impacts maintenance of diversity in communities
and maintenance of genetic variation in populations - processes which
have been mostly studied separately.

To address these questions, our collaborative project uses a novel
experimental community model system of wild Drosophila species and their
parasitoids from tropical Australia.

We are able to perform multigenerational laboratory microcosm experiments
and track eco-evolutionary dynamics in fine detail. The candidate will use
a combination of approaches: experimental community evolution, population
genomics, and eco-evolutionary modelling. The specific PhD projects will
result from a discussion between the candidate and the supervisor.

The successful applicant will join the Laboratory of Experimental
Ecology [ http://lab.hrcek.net ] at the Biology Centre, Czech Academy
of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, under the supervision of
Dr Jan Hrcek. The laboratory is a multinational team of postdocs, PhD
students and technicians. The applicant will thus have the opportunity
to work extensively with other team members. The laboratory obtained
prestigious high-level funding for five years (ERC Consolidator grant) and
therefore can provide substantial resources and support for exceptional
research. The laboratory is part of a dynamic international centre for
research in species interactions.

Together with the PhD student we will choose a co-supervisor from current
international collaborators or start new collaborations. The position
will include a research stay abroad.

The deadline for applications is 7th January 2026 with interviews short
after. The position can start from March 2026 onwards.

Recently, guaranteed income for PhD students has become a law in the Czech
Republic and the student will thus receive a salary which comfortably
covers living expenses in the Czech Republic.

The working language is English and applicants from all countries
are eligible. A MSc degree is required to enter PhD in Czech
Republic. Following experience is an advantage:

· Research experience with laboratory experiments

· Experience with population genetics or molecular ecology

· Experience in eco-evolutionary dynamics or population genetic modelling
To apply please send one document comprising a motivation letter, CV, and
contact details for two references to Jan Hrcek [ janhrcek@gmail.com ].

Jan Hrcek <janhrcek@gmail.com>

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