Postdoctoral Researcher in Biological Anthropology – Demographic Responses to Urbanization

Workplace:

Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

Type of Contract:

Temporary position with 1.5-year contract, non-academic

Working Hours:

1 FTE (full-time employment of 40 hours per week)

Expected Start Date:

1 July 2026 or negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non-EU candidates

Number of Open Positions:

1

Pay:

CZK 50,000 per month

Application Deadline:

31. 5. 2026

EU Researcher Profile:

R2 (Recognised Researcher)

About the Workplace

Masaryk University is a modern, dynamic and attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 7 000 staff and 33 000 students, a wide range of research areas and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in the South Moravian Region.

Faculty of Science MU, a holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty...

Department of Anthropology MU is a research- and education-oriented unit...

The BITE Brno project, funded by the Czech Science Foundation...

The position specifically focuses on reconstructing demographic structures and mobility patterns to better understand biological responses to urbanization...

Job Description:

Key Duties:

• Lead and coordinate the paleodemographic analysis of a large archaeological human skeletal assemblage.
• Perform sex and age-at-death estimation (adults and non-adults) using established osteological methods.
• Apply and/or contribute to the development of complementary approaches (e.g. cementochronology, proteomic sex estimation).
• Work efficiently on a large dataset while ensuring analytical consistency and data quality.
• Participate in the integration of demographic data with other project datasets (e.g. isotopic, paleopathological, and archaeological data).
• Contribute to statistical analyses and interpretation of population structure in relation to urbanization.
• Ensure high standards of data recording, consistency, and quality control across the assemblage.
• Prepare and co-author scientific publications and project outputs within project timelines.
• Collaborate with project partners and contribute to student supervision when relevant.

Skills and Qualifications:

Required selection criteria:

• PhD in anthropology, bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, palaeobiology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in biological profiling and paleodemographic analysis of archaeological human remains (preferably in inhumation contexts).
• Ability to work efficiently and independently on large osteological datasets.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to data quality and consistency.
• Ability to manage workload autonomously and meet deadlines. Good communication skills and ability to work within a team.
• Proficiency in English (minimum B2 level, both written and spoken).

Preferred selection criteria:

• Experience working with large skeletal assemblages.
• Experience with data recording and data management practices.
• Interest or experience in sampling and sample preparation for cementochronology and proteomic analyses.
• Experience with statistical analysis (e.g. R or equivalent). Experience contributing to scientific publications.
• Valid category B driving license (for field or collection access, if applicable).

Additional Information:

Czech is not required. Training in specific analytical approaches (e.g. cementochronology or proteomic methods) will be provided if needed. Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to Dr. Kévin Salesse (k.salesse@sci.muni.cz).

We Offer:

An interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area. Flexible working hours... (benefits listed)

Application Process:

The application shall be submitted online by 31 May 2026 (23:59, GMT+2) via an e-application...

The candidate shall provide the following:

• A curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages, in English).
• A letter of motivation (max. 3 pages, in English)...
• Contact information for two potential referees...

Selection Process:

Received applications will be considered carefully...