Director, Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

The Czech Academy of Sciences announces an open competition for the position of Director of the Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IG CAS) in Prague.

The Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic, invites applications for the position of Director. We seek an outstanding scientist and visionary leader who is dedicated to promoting scholarly excellence with a broad scope across the Earth sciences.

About the institute

The Institute of Geophysics (www.ig.cas.cz/en/) is a public research institute founded in 1920, one of sixty institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and among the leading centres of fundamental and applied research in the Earth sciences in Central Europe.

Our research embraces a wide range of field- and modelling-based studies, including seven research teams, spanning active plate tectonic processes, rock deformation, environmental magnetism, the geomagnetic field, seismic wave and source studies, the structure of continental lithosphere, sedimentary basins, geomorphology, palaeoclimatology, and volcanic and magmatic processes. In addition, the institute maintains several long-term Earth-observation facilities, including the National Geomagnetic Observatory, the Czech regional seismic network, four Earth tides observatories, and a pool of mobile seismic stations deployed temporarily in tectonically active regions.

Our community comprises ~60 PhD-level research scientists including a growing international cohort plus ~40 support staff. Our researchers are involved in teaching and student supervision at universities in the Czech Republic and worldwide.

About the position

Key responsibilities of the Director include setting the Institute's research vision; sustaining and modernising its long-term observational infrastructure; securing competitive national and international funding; ensuring an inclusive and supportive work environment; and fostering the Institute's international standing as a centre of scientific research and active partner in global collaboration and governance. The annual budget of the Institute is around 146 million CZK (6 million €).

The successful candidate is expected to be a scientist of proven international standing with demonstrated leadership and management experience, a commitment to mentoring early-career researchers, and the vision to guide the Institute's continued development as a centre of world-class research. Fluency in English, the working language within the institute, is expected.

The expected term of office is five-years: 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2032, with the possibility of an additional term. The employment package includes a salary of 130 000 CZK (~5300 EUR) per month, plus an annual performance-related bonus. The place of employment is:

The Institute of Geophysics

Boční II-1401

141 00 Prague 4

Czech Republic

Application procedure

The appointment of the Director is made by the President of the Czech Academy of Sciences following an open selection procedure. Applications should be submitted in English, and include the following:

● a brief vision statement for the institute’s management and future development;

● CV, including summary of professional experience, scientific output, residential address and contact details;

● documents confirming university education and scientific qualifications;

● a criminal clearance certificate issued within the last 3 months;

● declaration of integrity pursuant to Section 17(4)(c) of Act No. 341/2005 Coll. and on work in the bodies of legal entities pursuant to Section 17(6) of Act No. 341/2005 Coll.).

Additional information regarding the position can be found on our website. In the case of queries about the selection process, please contact Ms. Balnerova at balnerova@kav.cas.cz

Please label applications ‘Selection Process (Institute of Geophysics, CAS)’ and ensure delivery of applications by 15:00 on November 30, 2026 in one of the following ways:

• in digital form:

o data box ID: fr6adt5

o e-mail: posta@kav.cas.cz

● in hard-copy: Czech Academy of Sciences - Attention of director of the CAS Head Office, Národní 3, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic.