Department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
deadline: January 31, 2026
start date: by agreement
Job type: full time
Job type: science and research
The dean of the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University announces an open call for the position.
PhD Student – Machine Learning-Based Tools for Multiparametric Enzyme Optimization
workplace: RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Contract type: Temporary position with 3-year contract (extendable), off-campus position
Working hours: 1,0 FTE (40 hours per week full-time employment)
Planned start date: Immigration schedule for non-EU candidates is negotiable
Number of open positions: 1
pay: Depending on eligibility for family allowance 108,000 CZK – 120,000 CZK, including all compulsory deductions such as social security contributions, health insurance and income tax
Application deadline: January 31, 2026
EU researcher profile: R1
About the workplace
Masaryk University is one of the most attractive, modern and dynamic universities in the Czech Republic, with 10 faculties, over 7,000 staff and 33,000 students, a wide range of research fields and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in South Moravia.
Winner of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, the MU Faculty of Science is a research-oriented faculty, offering primary and applied research in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, etc., as well as university education (bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs) closely related to high school education. We are the most productive scientific department at Masaryk University, producing approximately 40% of MU research output.
RECETOX focuses on interdisciplinary research and education in the fields of environment and health, studying toxic compounds and their behavior, transport and bioaccumulation to assess their environmental impact, assess human exposure and health risks, and develop technologies and biotechnologies to degrade them. http://www.recetox.muni.cz/en/career/career-at-recetox PhD students will be employed by Rošmid Laboratories, one of Europe's leading protein engineering groups and part of the RECETOX Center of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. The group focuses on the study of fundamental principles of enzyme catalysis and the development of proteins for environmental, chemical, and biomedical applications. The Loschmidt Institute is currently working on many themes leading to new computational tools, biomaterials, and biopharmaceuticals.
roles and responsibilities
The PhD will be carried out in four years at Masaryk University under the supervision of Dr. Stanislav Mazurenko. Within this period, two research stays (2 x 3 months) are planned at DTU (C. Acevedo) and Provolut (J. Ivanovska). The Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) project is scheduled to start in January 2026. The recruitment date and the start of the PhD project are scheduled for June 2026 and no later than December 2026. The PhD degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of research activities and fulfillment of all study requirements for the PhD degree at Masaryk University. You will also be required to attend training events organized by the DN and will be expected to contribute to disseminating the results of your PhD through social media and public participation.
The PhD project will focus on:
- Developing next-generation data-driven models for protein engineering and optimization.
- Validate the developed model based on new data from the DN project.
- We integrate these models into reliable, user-friendly, state-of-the-art tools for protein engineering pipelines.
Main supervisor: Stanislav Mazurenko, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Co-supervisor 1: Carlos Acevedo, DTU, Denmark
Co-supervisor 2: Jelena Ivanovska, Provolut (formerly Exazyme), Berlin, Germany
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in computational biology, machine learning, bioinformatics, biotechnology or related field
- Experience with computational tools for protein engineering or machine learning
- Proven ability in biological data analysis
- excellent english skills
- Excellent communication skills to work within an interdisciplinary research team
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.
Preferred but not required qualifications:
- Proficiency in Python or other programming language.
- Familiarity with protein modeling and analysis tools such as AlphaFold, Boltz, PyMOL, and Chimera.
- Machine learning model development experience
- Interest in advanced computational methods to understand and improve protein function
Employment conditions
You must have a 2-year Master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a 2-year Master's degree.
Eligibility requirements:
Doctoral Candidate (DC)
- Some candidates may not have a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
- It doesn't matter what nationality you are
- You may not have resided or engaged in your primary activity (such as work or study) in the recruitment beneficiary's country for more than 12 months in the past three years.
- Meet the requirements for admission to the doctoral program
Approval and registration
Scholarships for doctoral degrees are subject to academic approval and candidates will be enrolled in one of Masaryk University's general degree programs. For admission requirements and general planning of the doctoral study program, see Doctoral Study Program | Doctoral Study Program. Faculty of Science MU.
we provide
- Interesting work in a dynamically expanding university area
- Flexible working hours and occasional home office to support individual needs in balancing family and career
- Employee benefits such as 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, pension insurance contributions or nursery/child group allowance, financial meal allowance, multi-sport card, free vaccinations, discounts on language courses, exclusive mobile tariff plan with Vodafone, childcare groups on campus and in Komenského naměstí
- Opportunity to work and live in a modern and dynamic city (see Numbeo for details on cost of living)
Salary and appointment conditions
The preferred start date is June 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed. The position is full time. The employment period for the ELEGANCE project is three years, with the possibility of extension with support from RECETOX. Doctoral candidates will be offered a competitive remuneration based on MSCA benefits in line with MSCA WP 2023-2025, as well as an employment contract that includes social security and health insurance. The monthly salary at CZK is equivalent to between 4,484.52 and 5,144.52 euros depending on family allowance eligibility and includes all compulsory deductions such as social security contributions, health insurance and income tax. Learn more about career paths at Masaryk University's Faculty of Science.
Funded by:
- Living allowance (salary)
- Travel allowance (relocation, etc.)
- Family allowance, long-term leave allowance (if applicable)
- Research, training and networking events
- job assignment system
Detailed information
Further information can be obtained from Stanislav Mazurenko: mazurenko@mail.muni.cz
MSCA Doctoral Network ELEGANCE website: https://elegance.dtu.dk/
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/quotes?user=zVQpC44AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Loschmidt Institute: https://loschmidt.chemi.muni.cz/peg/
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on studying a doctoral program at MU's Ph.D. Research | Masaryk University. Welcome Office supports your relocation to Brno.
Application process
Applications are submitted online by e-filing by January 31, 2026. References to electronic filing are included at the beginning and end of the advertisement.
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file containing all materials necessary for consideration.
Please attach all English language materials in one PDF file.
The file must contain:
- cover letter
- resume
- Transcripts and BSc/MSc diplomas (in English) (including official explanation of grading criteria)
- Names and contact details of at least two professional references;
You may apply before you have earned your master's degree, but you cannot start your application before you have earned your master's degree.
Once your application is successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from jobs.muni.cz. If you have any problems filling out the electronic application form, please contact us by email: rcx-hr@recetox.muni.cz.
Selection process
Applications received will be carefully considered in accordance with the principles of the EU Charter and the Researcher Code. Selection criteria: (i) meeting the eligibility requirements listed above; (ii) providing all required documentation.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person or online interview.
You can view the Teacher Recruitment Policy (OTM-R) here.
Masaryk University Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity employer. We support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please visit our recruitment page.
We look forward to hearing from you.
