Postdoctoral Researcher in Astrophysics of Galactic Nuclei

Department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Faculty of Science
Deadline: 30 Sep 2026
Start date: 4. 1. 2027 or negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non EU candidates
Job type: full-time
Job field: Science and research

Bursar of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University announces an open competition for the position:

Post-doc at the Department of theoretical physics and astrophysics

Workplace: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
Type of Contract: Temporary position with 2-year contract (with possible extension), non-academic
Working Hours: 1 FTE (full-time employment of 40 hours per week)
Expected Start Date: 4. 1. 2027 or negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non EU candidates
Number of Open Positions: 1
Application Deadline: 30-09-2026 

About the Workplace

Masaryk University is modern, dynamic and the most attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 7 000 staff and 33 000 students, a wide range of research areas and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in the South Moravian Region.

Faculty of Science MU, a holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics at the Faculty of Science MU offers a postdoctoral research position in the field of galactic nuclei. The position is supported within the awarded Czech Science Foundation Junior Star grant (PI: Michal Zajacek). The research team of galactic nuclei at MU is working on cutting-edge research projects from the physics of Galactic center, nuclear transients, to AGN feeding and feedback across different scales. The postdoctoral researcher will have space for a professional and personal growth in the diverse team with strong international connections.

Job Description

• Performing research in the astrophysics of galactic nuclei (modelling, observational or both).
• Capability to collaborate on projects with the research team at MU.
• Capability to design and lead own research projects.

Skills and Qualifications:

The applicant must have:

• PhD Degree in Astrophysics or a related field (no more 8 years since obtaining the degree).
• Experience in astrophysics of galactic nuclei (theoretical, computational or observational).
• Good communication skills (oral and written) in English.

The applicant should have:

• Communication skills, capable of independent research, experience with student supervision.
• Capability to collaborate with other team members.

Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to assoc. prof. Michal Zajaček, PhD., email zajacek@mail.muni.cz.

We Offer:

• Dynamic, diverse, and international research environment.
• An interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area.
• Flexible working hours and occasional home office to support personal needs in family and career compatibility.
• Employee benefits such as 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, pension insurance contribution/long-term investment product/nursery/children´s group allowance, a financial meal allowance , lunches in canteens of MU, Multisport card, psychological counselling, vaccinations free of charge, discounted language courses, exclusive mobile tariff offer by Vodafone, childcare groups at Campus and Komenského náměstí).
• Opportunity to work and live in a modern and dynamic city (for more information on costs of living, you can refer to Numbeo).
• Welcome Office provides support with your relocation to Brno.

Application Process:

The application shall be submitted online by September 30, 2026 via an e-application, please find the reference to the e-application in the beginning and end of the advertisement.

The candidate shall provide following:

• CV.
• Cover letter describing candidate's research interest and experience.
• Summary of research outputs and publications.
• Names and contact details of at least 2 references.

After submitting your application successfully, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from jobs.muni.cz.

Selection Process:

Received applications will be considered carefully in line with principles of the EU Charter and Code for Researchers. Selection criteria: (i) meeting qualification requirements described above, (ii) all required documents provided.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal or online interview.

The Faculty Recruitment Policy (OTM-R) can be seen here.

Faculty of Science, Masaryk University is an equal opportunity employer. We support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Visit our Career page.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!