Offer Description
The Faculty of Science at Charles University invites an outstanding senior researcher to explore a unique leadership opportunity: to lead the creation of a new research group and drive excellence in Integrative metabolic physiology and bioenergetics at the Department of Physiology.
We invite expression of interests from researchers ready to collaborate on an ERA Chair proposal under Horizon Europe WIDERA and, if successful, to build and lead this group in Prague.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a highly qualified and internationally recognized scholar (R3/R4 level) with:
- A strong track record in integrative metabolic physiology, with emphasis on cellular bioenergetics, mitochondrial function, and metabolic regulation at tissue, organ, or whole-organism level
- Experience in leading research teams and securing competitive funding
- Proven ability to develop and integrate advanced approaches for the analysis of cellular and mitochondrial bioenergetics, metabolic fluxes, and metabolic phenotyping in physiologically relevant models
- The motivation and capacity to build a high-impact research group at a leading Central European university
Candidates of all nationalities are eligible. ERA Chair holders may not have an existing contractual relationship with Charles University.
Key parameters
- Funding scheme: Horizon Europe, WIDERA, topic HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01
- Project duration: 5 years
- Project budget: approx. 2.5 million €
- Proposal deadline: 14 September 2027
- Working language: English
Why This Position Matters
Unique Role, European Impact
Founded in 1348, Charles University is the oldest and most prestigious university in Central Europe, consistently ranked among the top regional institutions. The Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Science has a strong tradition in integrative and adaptive physiology, neurobiology, chronobiology, cardiovascular physiology and behavioural neuroscience. These areas provide a strong foundation for developing a new research direction focused on metabolic regulation, bioenergetics and physiological resilience across cellular, tissue and organismal levels.
Metabolic regulation and cellular bioenergetics are central to physiological adaptation, resilience and long-term health. They shape how cells, tissues and organisms respond to metabolic, developmental, environmental and neuroendocrine challenges. The ERA Chair will strengthen the Department’s capacity to study these processes by linking molecular and cellular mechanisms with tissue, organ and whole-organism function.
From Cellular Bioenergetics to Physiological Resilience
Metabolic regulation and bioenergetics are essential for understanding how cells, tissues and organisms maintain function under physiological and pathological conditions. Analysis of mitochondrial function, metabolic fluxes and organismal adaptation supports research into metabolic disease, ageing, neurodegeneration and responses to environmental stress. Advancing this field at the European level will strengthen the link between molecular mechanisms and integrative physiology, and this is precisely the contribution the ERA Chair is positioned to make.
Methodological Ambition
The ERA Chair will drive the development and integration of advanced approaches in metabolic physiology and bioenergetics, including:
- Functional analysis of mitochondrial respiration and cellular bioenergetics
- Metabolic flux analysis, metabolomics and molecular phenotyping
- Physiologically relevant models of metabolic stress, ageing and environmental adaptation
- Integration of cellular, endocrine, behavioural and whole-organism physiological readouts, including temporal aspects of metabolic regulation where relevant
Expected Impact of the ERA Chair
ERA Chairs are among the most prestigious individual research grants under Horizon Europe. The successful candidate will drive a transformative step forward in metabolic physiology and bioenergetics at Charles University. The ERA Chair holder will build a permanent, high-performing research group fully integrated within the Department with direct impact on both research output and institutional culture:
- Publication of results in leading international journals and participation in prestigious European research consortia
- Strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration across the Faculty of Science (physiology, neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology, developmental biology, immunology)
- Integration of cutting-edge research into teaching at all levels, and mentorship of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers
- Improved capacity to compete successfully for further EU and international funding
- Lasting institutional reforms aligned with ERA priorities as open science, transparent recruitment, and researcher career development
Get In Touch
Interested candidates are invited to send us a short email with their CV to get in touch and start the conversation. We are happy to discuss the opportunity informally before any commitment.
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