Job openings

For scholars fleeing Unkraine!

We are able to host scientists (postdocs and PhD students) and offer flexible positions in the fields we cover, please contact Vladimira. We can also assist with the search for positions at Heyrovsky Institute and elswhere. Please contact Vladimira or Czexpats in Science at ukraine@czexpats.org

We are hiring!

Come working to beautiful Prague! We are always looking for motivated postdocs and students (PhD, master, bachelor) to join our group. Our research covers plasmonics, nanophotonics, superresolution microscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, DNA self-assembly, fluorescence, protein imaging, image analysis and machine learning. If you are interested in working in such diverse and interdisciplinary environment, please contact Vladimira.

Currently advertised positions

Here is a list of position currently advertised. Please contact us also if there is no position open right now or if you are intested in joining us for a different topic. There might be other possibility of funding or an opening soon. Vladimira is a part of the Humboldt research network. If you are a scientist in Germany wanting to spend 6-24 months in our lab, please contact Vladimira.

Postdoc positions

Postdoc in single molecule fluorescence and biophysics
A research group lead by Vladimira Petrakova focused on nanophotonics and light engineering for applications in bioimaging and sensorics at the Heyrovsky Institute in Prague is searching for candidates for the position of postdoctoral researcher. Our current efforts focus on developing DNA-origami based platforms for spatial manipulation of light using plasmonic assemblies. The project combines approaches from many fields – single molecule microscopy and spectroscopy, superresolution microscopy, DNA nanotechnology, plasmonics, and machine learning. The focus of the position will be on single-molecule fluorescence. The ideal candidate will have a background in biophysics, photonics, microscopy, and spectroscopy and interest in non-conventional fluorophores, DNA origami, and data analysis.

This position is for a duration of 2 years, with the potential for research stays in collaborating laboratories throughout Europe. Our group is rapidly growing and offers a dynamic, open, friendly, and collaborative environment. We value independence, diversity, and inclusivity.

Apply for the position if you

  • have strong experience in
    • single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy (steady state and time resolved)
    • methods like FRET, MIET or related
    • data analysis (python, R, imageJ or others)
  • have experience or interest in
    • DNA origami, DNA nanotechnology
    • superresolution microscopy and home-built microscope setups
    • Nanophotonics or plasmonics
    • Non-conventional fluorophores like NV centers in diamond and gold nanoclusters
  • like
    • to think deep about scientific problems and come up with solutions
    • coming up with scientific questions worth studying
    • working in an international and multidisciplinary team
    • communicating your research in simple terms to colleagues with different background

If you like new challenges and want to grow into a leading scientist, please let us know about you. Send us your CV and a motivation letter where you tell us why you are interested in the position and why we should choose you. The motivation letter should not just reiterate the content of your CV, but it should explain how you will apply your existing expertise to the scientific topics you will work on in our group and what areas of expertise you will have to build. It should also discuss how the points above applies to you and illustrate with examples whenever possible. Send your materials together with the contact to two references to recruitment@jh-inst.cas.cz and to vladimira.petrakova@jh-inst.cas.cz.

We look forward to welcoming you in our team. We strongly encourage women or other underrepresented minorities to apply. The position will be open until filled and has a flexible start in 2024. We offer the position for two years with the possibility of extension.