Researcher (Archaeometallurgy) at Department of Archaeology and Museology

Department: Department of Archaeology and Museology  – Faculty of Arts
Deadline: 10 May 2026
Start date: 1. 6. 2026
Job type: full-time
Job field: Science and research

Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University announces an open competition for the position

Researcher

Department: Department of Archaeology and Museology , Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University
Position Type: non-academic position in research
EU Researcher Profile: R1/R2
Work time: full-time, 40 hours per week
Type of employment contract: fixed-term (4-year employment contract, with the first contract for 1 year, followed by 3 years)
Number of open positions: 1
Expected start: June 1, 2026
Deadline for applications: May 10, 2026 

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a colleague to join the Department of Archaeology and Museology with focus on archaeometallurgy.

MAIN JOB CONTENT

Framework

• Performance of auxiliary/partial research and development work according to the instructions of the senior employee.
• Work in a research team of ERC Synergy project CoCo (Connected Communities in early medieval Europe)
• Involvement in publication activities, possibly also presentation of research results.
• The content of the research activity:
  • Archeometallurgical analyses
  • SEM-EDS microscopy and chemical composition analysis of iron artifacts, slags, and ores
  • GIS spatial analysis, statistical analysis, and network analysis of iron production

Other

• Participation in ensuring operational and administrative activities related to the position according to the instructions of the department head.

WE REQUEST

Professional education, qualifications and experience

• Master’s Degree Programme in archaeology – a condition
• possibly also in the field of materials engineering or chemistry with a focus on archaeological artifacts
• completed, ongoing Ph.D. studies or application for PhD studies (e.g. at Masaryk University)
• professional focus on archaeometallurgy or archaeometry – it is a condition
• experience in the field is not required

Language skills

• knowledge of English language at B2 level (C1 or C2 level would be an advantage)
• knowledge of the Czech or Slovak language in both written and spoken form is an advantage

Requirements related to job content 

• ability to carry out independent scientific research
• ability to collaborate on complex scientific, research, development or artistic tasks in a research team
• ability to clearly articulate research results
• ability to present research results
• ability to publish
• willingness to work full-time in the laboratories of the Institute of Archaeology and Museology at Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic)
• willingness to travel between the Institute of Archaeology and Museology at Masaryk University in Brno and the CNRS in Paris
• IT skills in research work
• knowledge of working with SEM-EDS microscopy, GIS (ArcGIS), databases, and statistical methods (PCA, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis)
• basic knowledge of early medieval archaeology in Central Europe
• diligence, responsibility, reliability
• openness to change
• team spirit
• self-reflection

The advantage is

• knowledge of the university environment

WE OFFER

Working environment

• stable working environment in a prestigious institution awarded by the HR Excellence in Research
• access to ERC Synergy project CoCo (Connected Communities in early medieval Europe)
• the opportunity to work in an international, interdisciplinary team of experts within ERC Synergy project CoCo
• friendly and inspiring working environment
• convenient location of the faculty in the city centre
• a friendly approach to work-life balance

Employee benefits

6 weeks of paid vacation per year, flexible working hours with the possibility to work partly from home for better work life balance, meal allowance in the salary or for meals in canteens, pension insurance contribution or nursery school/ playgroup allowance, selected vaccinations free of charge, favourable mobile tariffs Vodafone, Multisport card, sports lessons organized by the Faculty of Sports Studies, the nursery school Elánek for children of employees near the faculty.

Training and development

Opportunities for training and personal development, e.g., language and other courses provided by MU, use of MU libraries, use of placements and mobilities abroad, participation in conferences, etc.

If you have any questions regarding the salary, please contact Eva Brázdová Urbanová at eva.urbanova@phil.muni.cz

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your application via the electronic application link by 10. 5. 2026 (please use the link in the Electronic Application section below) and please attach all required documents.

The following documents are required as part of your application and must be submitted in English (except for copies of educational certificates):

• cover letter specifying the area of research interest
• structured CV with an overview of previous experience
• copies of proof of education
• overview of scientific and publishing activities

Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation of acceptance to your e-mail address. After the e-application deadline, you will receive information about the next steps. If you are unsure, please contact the FF MU Personnel Office: Mgr. Eva Brázdová Urbanová, e-mail: eva.urbanova@phil.muni.cz

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection criteria:

• submitting all required documents in the e-application
• compliance of the candidate's profile with the requirements for the job as stated above

Suitable candidates will be invited to a personal interview, which may also take the form of a videoconference.

Selection procedures rules at the Faculty of Arts of MU  can be found on our careers page here .

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY, THE FACULTY AND THE DEPARTMENT

Masaryk University , located in in the vibrant city of Brno, Czech Republic, is the second-largest public university in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in Central Europe. It is recognized for its strong research output, as well as its comprehensive and diverse range of study programs, which span the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 35,000 students and 6,000 employees. Beautiful surroundings of Brno and proximity to other historical cities (e.g. Prague, Vienna, Budapest), variety of cultural and entertainment attractions, and top personal safety, make Brno one of the top 100 university cities in the world according to students.

The Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University  is an important centre of humanities and social science. Due to modern facilities, high technologies and innovative methods in science and education, the faculty offers attractive environment to its 6,000 students and 600 employees. Striving for transparent working environment that is open to domestic and international top researchers and that supports mobility and professional growth, the faculty was granted by the HR Excellence in Research Award  - a European certification for managing HR processes in a research organization in 2021.

Department

Information about the Department of Archaeology and Museology at the Faculty of Arts of MU can be found at: https://archeo-muzeo.phil.muni.cz/en

Contact person at the department for questions about the position:

First name and surname: Prof. Mgr. Jiří Macháček, Ph.D.
E-mail: machacek@phil.muni.cz
Telephone: +420 549 49 1532