Graduate position: BC-CAS_Czechia.ButterflyEvolutionHighElevations

PhD Position: Butterfly Conservation Genomics

(Please, feel free to distribute to all potential candidates)

Closing date: January 11, 2026

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our international team at
the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. You will be part of
an exciting research project aimed at understanding rapid evolution and
adaptation in butterflies flying at high elevations. The goal of the PhD
work is to infer climatic niche evolution and species diversification
in tropical mountain butterflies (Pierini whites), and to test for
adaptive evolution of flight performance in species from the tropical
Andes of Peru.

You will have the opportunity to carry out extensive fieldwork along
two elevational transects (approx. 1,500???4,000 m) in Peru, performing
behavioral experiments to quantify butterfly flight performance. Research
visits to European collaborators and Natural History Museums are expected,
where you will measure wing shape, size and coloration using morphometric
and modern imaging tools. This framework will allow you to assess
how environmental drivers, phylogenetic history and eco-morphological
variation shape high-elevation butterfly adaptation.

You will benefit from international networking, hands-on training and
research mobility, working within a collaborative and multidisciplinary
team.

Priority will be given to candidates who have co-authored at least
one scientific publication (submitted or accepted). Experience with
morphometric analysis, climatic niche modelling and/or significant
fieldwork experience in tropical mountains is advantageous.

Required qualifications:

- Master's degree in biology or related fields (awarded
before start).

- Good communication skills in English.

- Independence and documented research productivity.

Funding and Environment:

The position is fully funded through a combination of research
grant salary and student stipend. The PhD program (4 years)
is based at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia
(https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en).

The research facility at the Biology Centre CAS
(https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/) is in Ceske Budejovice, a charming
historical city in the south of the country, within easy reach of Prague
and Vienna. Our working environment (Department of Ecology, Institute
of Entomology) is highly diverse and international.

How to apply:

Send your application in English to pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz, consisting
of one single PDF containing the following:

- Cover letter, outlining your motivation, how your
background and skills fit the project, and your potential plans within
the research focus of this position (max. 2 pages).

- CV, including contact details of at least two referees
familiar with your work.

The deadline for applications is January 11, 2026. The top ranked
candidates will be selected for an interview in English. The start date
is expected in spring 2026.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr. P??vel Matos-Marav??

Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences

Brani??ovsk?? 31, 37005, ??esk?? Bud??jovice, Czech Republic

Email: pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz

Web: https://pavelmatos.wordpress.com/

Matos Maravi Pavel Fortunato <pavel.matos@entu.cas.cz>

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