Tenure Track Position at ASU linked to the CAS Acquisition Programme

The Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences invites expressions of interest from outstanding researchers currently based abroad for a tenure track position linked to the CAS Acquisition Programme. The scheme supports the recruitment or return of excellent researchers to the Czech Republic, with potential funding of up to CZK 2.5 million per year for three years. The selected candidate will be expected to develop an independent research programme aligned with the Institute’s scientific profile.

The Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ASU, https://asu.cas.cz/en) is the leading astronomical research institute in the Czech Republic, located at the Ondrejov Observatory and in Prague. Its main research activities are in the formation, evolution, dynamics and physical properties of galaxies, stars and star systems, research on the physics of compact objects including black holes and gravitational waves, research on the Sun, solar activity and its effects on processes on Earth and in interplanetary space, research on the Earth's immediate environment, the dynamics of natural and artificial bodies in the Solar System, and research on interplanetary matter and its interaction with the Earth's atmosphere.

ASU invites expressions of interest and applications for a tenure track position intended for candidates currently working abroad. The selected candidate is expected to be nominated by ASU to the Czech Academy of Sciences' Programme D - Academy of the Future: Support for the Return and Acquisition of Researchers from Abroad and Their Integration into the AV CR Environment (the "Acquisition Programme").

The aim of the Acquisition Programme is to support the recruitment of excellent researchers from leading institutions abroad, including Czech researchers returning from abroad as well as international researchers moving to the Czech Republic, and to help integrate them into the research environment of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

This call is open in the fields of research conducted at ASU. Theory, observation, instrumentation-related research, numerical modelling, data analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches relevant to the Institute's research profile are all welcome.

Eligibility conditions

Candidates must meet the formal conditions of the Acquisition Programme. In particular, at the time of nomination to the programme the candidate must:

• not be employed by any employer in the Czech Republic;
• have worked continuously abroad for at least two years by the proposal submission date;
• hold a PhD degree or equivalent by the start of the support period;
• be no more than 12 years after the award of the PhD degree at the time of proposal submission. Eligible career breaks, such as maternity or parental leave, long-term illness, compulsory military service, or care responsibilities, may be excluded according to the programme rules;
• be ready to take up employment at ASU at a minimum of 0.6 FTE for the whole period of support.

Position and funding

The successful candidate will be considered for a tenure track position at ASU. The position is intended to be linked to a proposal submitted to the Acquisition Programme. If the proposal is successful, the first three years of the position will be financially supported by the programme, next two years by the Institute.

The Acquisition Programme may provide support for up to three years, with funding of up to CZK 2.5 million per calendar year. The funding may cover personnel costs of the recruited researcher and, where relevant, members of the research group, as well as other non-investment costs directly related to the proposed research activity. The wage will be determined based on the internal regulation conditions, maximum is 3000 EUR/month gross plus project bonuses. In the next two years, the Institute will support the personal cost of the recruited researcher only plus non-investment costs within the standard allocation of the department budget.

The expected start of the supported research activity is in 2027, preferentially in the first half on the year. The exact start date of employment at ASU will be negotiated with the selected candidate, taking into account the programme schedule, legal requirements for employment in the Czech Republic, and the needs of the host department.

Application procedure

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant research department at ASU before submitting an application, in order to discuss the fit of the proposed research profile, integration into the Institute, and the preparation of the programme proposal.

Only candidates whose applications have been discussed with a relevant ASU contact will be considered for nomination to the Acquisition Programme. ASU will select the most promising candidate(s) and prepare the formal programme proposal for submission by the Director of the Institute.

Required application materials (all in PDF):

• curriculum vitae with contact details;
• list of publications, including citations where applicable and a scientific identifier such as ORCID;
• summary of the most significant research results achieved in last 5 years (1 page max);
• information on current research projects and commitments;
• draft of the three-year research activity at ASU listing scientific objectives, proposed methodology, and expected results with a descripton of a potential benefit to ASU (2 pages max).

Candidates shall be available for an online interview between May 18-21, 2026.

A single candidate will be recommended by ASU selection comitee to prepare a final proposal for the call.  Required final application materials will include:

• structured curriculum vitae
• desctiption of research achievements including the list of publications with citations, list of at least five best results from the last ten years, the most significant projects with a role of PI, short narrative summarizing the best research achievements,
• list of selected examples of significant recognition by peers (prizes, awards, fellowships, elected academy memberships, invited presentations to major conferences, etc)
• overview of career breaks, if applicable
• list of other noteworthy contributions to the research community
• list of on-going and submitted research grants
• proposal of the research activity for 3 years including state-of-the-art description, research objectives, methodology, proposed team members if known, proposed budget
• confirmation of international cooperation in case the cooperation with an international partner is essential for the implementation of the proposed research activity.

Documents required for the formal nomination to the Acquisition Programme will be prepared in English. ASU may request additional information from the shortlisted candidate in order to complete the official programme proposal. 

Important dates

• ASU application deadline: May 14, 2026 (by the end of the day)
• Interviews: May 18-21, 2026
• Selection of the short-listed candidate: May 22, 2026
• Final application deadline for selected candidate: May 28, 2026
• Expected announcement of final results: January 2027
• Expected start of supported research activities: first half of 2027 (negotiable)

Further information

https://www.asu.cas.cz/en/departments for the list of departments and working groups at the Institute

https://www.euraxess.cz/ for details about research, employment and working conditions in the Czech Republic

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp to compare the cost of living

Inquiries and submissions

Mrs. Lenka Cihakova
sekretariat@asu.cas.cz
Please use the subject line: TENURE TRACK 2026