Project description
The postdoctoral researcher position is founded by the Czech Science Foundation project ‘Plasmidome structure of the Acinetobacter genus in relation to its ecological diversity‘. This project aims to show the dynamics of Acinetobacter plasmid-mediated gene flow across environmental boundaries. Plasmids substantially contribute to bacterial evolution, and research on their ecology aids in understanding how opportunistic pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii adapt to various environmental pressures. However, current research on clinical A. baumannii plasmids remains largely disconnected from studies on environmental Acinetobacter plasmids, and important gene flows between clinical and non-clinical settings may thus remain hidden. The postdoc will analyze plasmid-mediated gene sharing across Acinetobacter spp. from well-defined environments, each representing varying levels of antibiotic selection pressure (hospitals, farms and pristine nature), using multilayer network analysis, aiming to unravel plasmid-mediated adaptations of Acinetobacter spp. to diverse environmental conditions and identify Acinetobacter plasmids that pose a risk for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in non-clinical settings.

Postdoc tasks
• Plasmid sequence annotation
• Building and analyzing multilayer networks based on plasmid sequence sharing across species and environments
• Interpreting data and writing publications
• Sequence submission to databases and data management

Requirements
• PhD in Microbial Ecology, Ecology, Microbiology, Biostatistics, Computational Science or similar subjects
• Proficiency in R programming
• Fluent English
• Good communication and writing skills
• Creativity and enthusiasm
Additional skills considered an advantage
• Previous experience with (multilayer) network analysis
• DNA sequence analysis (assembly, annotation, functional gene analysis)
• Proficiency in bash programming
• Laboratory experience with microbiology and molecular biology techniques

Contract details
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) temporary position with an initial one-year contract and the possibility of extension up to a total of 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory performance. The expected start date is 1 July 2026 (or during summer/fall 2026).
Remuneration: 65,000 CZK/month (ca. 2,700 EUR), which represents a good living standard in Czechia. The contract covers health insurance and contribution to social security system.
Flexible working hours, 30 days of paid vacation per year.

Group and campus detail
The Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology is a friendly international group of about 30 members, focused on diverse topics within soil microbial ecology (https://mbu.cas.cz/en/research/laboratory-of-environmental-microbiology). The laboratory provides most necessary facilities for microbiology, bacterial genomics, metagenomics and computation, while many others are available on the campus.
The Institute of Microbiology is located in spacious green campus in the outskirt of Prague, 30 min from the city center by public transportation. With more than five hundred employees and two hundred students represents a key national institution performing research in different fields of microbiology. Research community in the campus is fully international, working language is English. Language courses (e.g., Czech and English) are available for the employees of the institute. The campus includes dining services, child-care center, temporary housing and sport facilities.

Application
To apply for the position, send a detailed CV (including education, previous employments, list of publications), motivation letter, copy of your PhD diploma, at least one reference letter, and contact details for 2 referees to recruitment@biomed.cas.cz, email subject: Postdoc.5.2026.MBU. The deadline for application is April 30, 2026.

Selection process
• 1st round: evaluation of candidates based on CV and other information provided
• 2nd round: interview (possible online)

Organization: Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences
Department: Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology
Location: Prague (Czechia)
Employment: Full-time
Start of contract: 1 July 2026
Duration: 1 year, extendable up to 2.5 years in total
Supervisor: Dr. Martina Kyselková (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8528-5321)