PhD position available from April 2026 on

Ecological interactions of coexisting cryptic Gammarus species

at Charles University, Prague, Czechia.

Apply in November 2025 to petrusek@natur.cuni.cz. More details below, 
and on http://bit.ly/4hC0Orc

Within a joint Austrian-Czech project focusing on the freshwater 
amphipod Gammarus fossarum in the streams of Western Carpathians and 
Eastern Alps, we will explore feeding ecology, functional morphology, 
reproductive interactions and direct competition for resources of 
various lineages of this species complex, which differ in the extent of 
divergence but occur in mountain streams in syntopy. The project 
combines field sampling, molecular identification of specimens, stable 
isotope and gut content analyses, morphological characterization of 
functionally relevant traits, and lab experiments. We are looking for a 
motivated PhD student to join the Prague team. The student will 
contribute to fieldwork in eastern Czechia and will be involved in most 
of the above-mentioned research lines, but particularly strongly in the 
work package focusing on trophic ecology of the coexisting cryptic species.

The ideal candidate for this PhD position is interested in both ecology 
and evolutionary biology, has some experience with work in the lab, and 
is willing to learn new methods and contribute to both field- and 
labwork (DNA, stable isotopes) and laboratory experiments. A car driving 
licence (and experience with manual gear shift), and ability to 
successfully collaborate within a wider team of students, and with other 
national and international research groups, is a must. Good knowledge of 
written and spoken English is essential for candidate of any nationality.

The student will work under supervision of prof. Adam Petrusek at the 
Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. 
The department has suitable facilities for the DNA work, and offers 
supporting work environment in an international team. The project will 
be conducted in close collaboration with teams at University of Ostrava 
(Czechia) and University of Graz (Austria), where the student may also 
spend several months of the study in an internship.
The position is available for up to four years, starting in April 2026. 
The PhD candidate's net monthly income will start at ca 32.000 Czk (ca 
1330 EUR) in the first year, and may increase over time. To be eligible, 
the candidate must have obtained a degree equivalent to M.Sc. (B.Sc. is 
not sufficient due to local legislation) by March 2026 at the latest.

If interested, send a motivation letter outlining your past research, 
motivation for this position and specific experience (max. 2 pages), CV, 
list of publications or conference presentations (if available), 
abstract of Master or Diploma thesis, and contact details of 2-3 senior 
scientists that can provide references on you in a single PDF file to 
petrusek@natur.cuni.cz until November 30, 2025. Pre-selected 
candidate(s) will be invited for interviews over Zoom, and encouraged to 
submit a formal application through the university study system.

Adam Petrusek <petrusek@cesnet.cz>

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