"Postdoctoral fellow – Human dimensions of invasions and outreach specialist at the Centre for Synthesis of Forestry Invasions in Prague (FISC)"

The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) is one of the leading universities in Central Europe, specializing in life sciences, environmental studies, and sustainable development. CZU is hosting a new socio-ecological synthesis centre aimed at advancing the scientific understanding of the ecology and management of biological invasions in forests. The Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague (FISC, https://forestinvasion.cz/en) is funded under the ERA Chairs Call of the Horizon Europe Programme.

The centre hosts collaborative interdisciplinary working groups to explore facets of biological invasions by plants, insects, and tree pathogens in forests worldwide. Activities are conducted in collaboration with institutions including the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany.

The individual will serve as a researcher at FISC and conduct research on the role of humans in facilitating invasions by plants, plant pathogens, and insects in forests, as well as social perceptions of invasions and their impacts. This work involves analyzing data on invasions, their impacts, and management, quantifying costs and benefits of non-native trees in forestry, and evaluating policy options for managing forests and non-native species.

The scientist will also reach out to the forest invasion stakeholder community in the Widening countries of the EU and beyond to communicate research findings and seek input on future research. Duties include organizing working group collaborations, searching for data sources, organizing stakeholder meetings, writing research and popularization papers, and developing technology transfer material. The postdoc will be jointly mentored by FISC Chief Scientist Dr. Andrew Liebhold and Prof. Tomáš Hlasny in the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Science, Czech University of Life Sciences.

Qualifications: Previous experience working with insect invasions in forests, knowledge of spatial analysis tools, experience working with large databases, and proficiency in the Czech language.

Applications should consist of: 1. Motivation letter (file: Surname_Outreach_Letter.pdf), 2. Curriculum Vitae (file: Surname_Outreach_CV.pdf), 3. List of two individuals for letters of support (file: Surname_Outreach_Support.pdf). Send applications to fisc.recruitment@fld.czu.cz by no later than September 28, 2025.

We offer: A position at a university with the HR Excellence in Research Award, opportunities for professional growth, support for international researchers, and employee benefits. This is a two-year, part-time to full-time position with possibility of extension. Full-time gross salary ranges from CZK 74,500 to 124,000 (~EUR 3,000-5,000), corresponding to a net salary of approximately CZK 54,600-91,800 (~EUR 2,200-3,700). The cost of living in Prague is generally lower than many other European locations. CZU provides assistance with visa and work permit applications via the CZU Welcome Centre (https://www.czu.cz/en/r-9190-international-relations/r-18688-welcome-centre-for-international-scholars).

Recruitment process: A two-stage review including assessment of materials and an online interview. Employment may begin on November 1, 2025, or at another mutually agreed date.