Position summary:
Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University offers a postdoc research position on science diplomacy, research security, and open strategic autonomy. The postdoc researcher will work on two closely related Horizon Europe projects: CUSP (Consolidating European Science Diploamcy) and QUEST (The European Union’s Quest for a Relational Open Strategic Autonomy). In CUSP, the postdoc will be part of a team producing a taxonomy, mapping, and analysis of the European science diplomacy ecosystem. They will also be involved in a working group on the science diplomacy of large research infrastructures. In QUEST, the postdoc will be part of designing and researching a cross-national comparative case study on the innovation and research related aspects of open strategic autonomy, particuarly its relationship with research security. The position will also include time for independent research and publication work in the area of science diplomacy and/or research security. The researcher is expected to have doctoral and/or postdoctoral experience in the area of European Studies, Public Policy, and/or International Relations with an interest in science’s role in foreign affairs or more specifically, research security or science diplomacy. She or he will work independently but under a mentor’s supervision and in collaboration with members of the project team.
Job description:
- Full-time postdoc researcher
- Start date: January 2027
- Duration: 24 months full-time employment
- Institution: Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University
- Location: Prague, Czechia
- Salary: 50,000 to 55,000 CZK (ca. 2,050 to 2,250 EUR) / month, which includes social and health insurance
Team and collaboration:
The researcher will work independently, under the supervision of Mitchell Young, and in collaboration with other members of the research team from the Institute of International Studies, Charles University and as well as with the international partner institutions of the project. The researcher will become a full member of the Institute of International Studies, participating in all its activities, including its research seminars and cooperation in its research centres.
Expected responsibilities and duties:
- Start-to-end implementation of research (from research design, through data collection to article publishing).
- Search and review of relevant scientific literature.
- Write up of reports, policy papers, fiches.
- Collect qualitative and/or quantitative data as needed for the successful implementation of the project, including working with AI for such purposes. Conduct elite interviews.
- Management, organization, review and fact checking of collected data.
- Initiate and collaborate on publishing articles in high quality journals.
Where to apply
E-mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
Requirements
Research Field: Political sciences » Policy studies
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Sociology » Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Postdoctoral position requirements:
- Completed doctoral studies in European Studies, Area Studies, Public Policy, International Relations or related disciplines (preferably with a focus or proven interest in science’s role in foreign affairs, science diplomacy, research security, higher education studies or research policy). PhD candidates planning to defend in the spring will be considered if the dissertation has been submitted for defense.
- Experience with publishing in recognised peer-reviewed journals in a relevant field.
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team with a proven history of observing deadlines.
- Ability to work in a diverse environment where inclusiveness is appreciated.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in spoken and written English.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
How to apply:
Send the following documents to [contact details available in the full listing] by 31st October 2026.
- Structured CV (up to 3 pages)
- Motivation letter describing experience related to the project topic and ideas for own research within the topic
- List of publications
Short-listed candidates will be invited to an online interview with the selection committee in mid November 2026.
Selection process
By responding to this announcement, you consent to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, with its registered office at Smetanovo nábřeží 6, Prague 1, Postal Code 110 01, processing your personal data for the purpose of job placement. The processing of personal data is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of individuals regarding the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46 / EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and Act No. 110 / 2019 Sb. on the processing of personal data.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Charles University, Faculty of Science
Country: Czech Republic
City: Prague
Postal Code: 158 00
Street: U Kříže 661/8
Contact
State/Province: Stare mesto
City: Prague
Website: https://fsv.cuni.cz/en
Street: Smetanovo nábřeží 6
Postal Code: 110 00
E-Mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
