Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, is offering a fully funded PhD position in structural biology of eukaryotic translation control. The post is in Petr Těšina’s research group at CEITEC, the Central European Institute of Technology. It pays an ERC-funded salary starting at CZK 30,000 net a month, rising each year. Applications are open until 8 January 2027 and are assessed on a rolling basis, with a start in the first quarter of 2027 that can be negotiated.
You need a master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in the life sciences, a strong interest in structural biology and good spoken and written English. You don’t need prior cryo-EM experience, because the lab trains you. International applicants get help with visas and relocation from the university’s Welcome Office. This guide covers the Masaryk University fully funded PhD in structural biology in detail: the project, pay, documents, how to write the motivation letter, and who should apply.
Masaryk University structural biology PhD: key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| University | Masaryk University |
| Institute | CEITEC, Central European Institute of Technology |
| Research group | Petr Těšina Research Group |
| Project | Structural biology of eukaryotic translation control |
| Funding | ERC-funded salary from CZK 30,000 net per month, with yearly increases |
| Contract | Full time; THE lists it as “permanent” |
| Start date | First quarter of 2027, negotiable |
| Entry requirement | MSc or equivalent, preferably in life sciences |
| Language | Strong spoken and written English |
| Documents | CV, motivation letter, publication list, contacts for at least two referees |
| Visa help | Welcome Office support with visa and relocation |
| Advert posted | 11 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 8 January 2027, rolling assessment |
| Project enquiries | Petr Těšina, petr.tesina@ceitec.muni.cz |
| Technical help with the e-application | Lenka Divinová, lenka.divinova@ceitec.muni.cz |
Rolling assessment
The advert says applications are assessed as they arrive and recommends applying as soon as possible. The position can be filled before 8 January 2027.
The research project
The project asks a simple question: how is human translation controlled at the structural level? Translation is the step where ribosomes read messenger RNA and build proteins. Cells control it tightly, and errors in that control are linked to disease. The PhD will study the structures of ribosomal complexes involved in eukaryotic translation control. It combines structural biology, biochemistry and molecular biology.
The advert says the lab has secured an ERC Starting Grant and an EMBO Installation Grant. Your salary is paid from the ERC funding. ERC Starting Grants are competitive European Research Council awards for early-career group leaders, and EMBO Installation Grants support scientists setting up labs in participating countries, including the Czech Republic.
Training you will get
- Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM): at CEITEC’s local core facility. No prior cryo-EM experience is needed.
- CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in cells.
- Protein and RNA biochemistry.
- Biophysics.
- Professional skills: scientific communication, collaboration and project management.
The advert also mentions access to international travel and exchange grants, subsidised EMBO courses, and core facilities across Europe.
About Masaryk University, CEITEC and Brno
Masaryk University was founded in 1919 and is one of the largest universities in the Czech Republic. CEITEC is its research institute for life sciences and advanced materials, with shared core facilities, including the cryo-EM facility this project uses.
Brno is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, in the south-east of the country. It is cheaper than Prague and has a large student population. The advert makes its own cost-of-living claim: that the salary lets you keep about 40% of your income for leisure and personal spending after normal costs. Treat that as the employer’s estimate. Check current Brno rents yourself before you accept.
Requirements
Must-have
- An MSc or equivalent degree, preferably in life sciences.
- A strong interest in structural biology.
- Strong spoken and written English.
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience with structural biology, biochemistry or molecular biology methods.
- Programming skills.
- Experience with human or yeast cell cultures.
The advert also says the group values curiosity, dedication and a collaborative mindset.
Eligibility edge cases
- Master’s still in progress: the advert doesn’t say whether you can apply before graduating. With a Q1 2027 start, you would need the degree by then. Email Dr Těšina to ask.
- Degree from outside the EU: Czech doctoral admission may require recognition of a foreign master’s degree. The advert doesn’t name the doctoral programme or its rules, so ask which programme you would join and whether you need degree recognition.
- English tests: the advert asks for strong English but names no test or score. Ask whether a test certificate is required.
- MBBS or other medical degrees: the advert asks for an MSc or equivalent. Whether a medical degree counts as equivalent is for the university to decide, so ask before applying.
Funding and benefits
The advert describes the funding as an ERC-funded salary starting at CZK 30,000 net per month, with yearly increases. The advert calls this a salary and quotes it net, so the figure is what reaches you after deductions. The benefits listed are:
- Six weeks of paid holiday.
- Medical insurance.
- Meal and pension contributions.
- A Multisport card for sports facilities.
- Mental health care.
- On-campus sports lessons and a nearby kindergarten.
- Flexible working hours.
- Support from the Welcome Office, Grant Office and a PhD committee.
Visa and relocation
The advert says the Welcome Office supports you with visa and relocation before and after arrival. If you are from outside the EU, you will need a Czech long-term visa or residence permit to work and study. Czech visa processing can take several weeks, so apply early. That gives the Welcome Office time to help before a Q1 2027 start.
How to apply
- Open the listing: THE Unijobs listing 415438, “Fully Funded PhD Position in Structural Biology of Eukaryotic Translation Control”, and click “Apply on website” to reach the Masaryk University e-application portal.
- Prepare your CV: include your degree, lab methods, projects and any programming.
- Write a motivation letter: one page, specific to this project.
- List your publications: include posters and preprints if you have no papers yet.
- Name at least two referees: give their contact details.
- Submit early: assessment is rolling.
- Ask questions: project questions go to Petr Těšina; portal problems go to Lenka Divinová.
Document checklist
| Document | Tips |
|---|---|
| CV | Lab techniques first, then education and projects |
| Motivation letter | Why translation control, why this lab, what you bring |
| List of publications | Papers, preprints, posters or a clear note if none |
| References | Contact details for at least two academic referees |
How to write the motivation letter
The group leader will read every letter, so write it for him. Keep it to one page:
- Opening: name the position and your degree, and say in one sentence what draws you to translation control.
- Your lab experience: the methods you have used, such as protein purification, cloning, cell culture or any structural work, with one concrete result.
- Why this lab: mention a recent paper from the group or the ERC project and what interests you about it.
- What you want to learn: cryo-EM, CRISPR or biophysics, and why.
- Close: your availability for a Q1 2027 start and your visa status.
A sample opening line, for illustration only: “During my master’s project I purified ribosomes from yeast and saw how a single stalled complex could block protein output, and I want to see that control at atomic detail in your lab.”
What happens after you apply
The advert does not describe the selection steps. In European PhD recruitment, the usual pattern is a shortlist from the written applications, an online interview with the group leader, sometimes a short presentation of your master’s project, and reference checks. You then go through formal admission to the doctoral programme. Because review is rolling, interviews may happen soon after you apply.
Common mistakes
- A generic motivation letter: a letter that could go to any biology lab will not stand out.
- Overselling cryo-EM: you don’t need it, so don’t pretend. Show you can learn.
- Missing the rolling review: waiting until January risks finding the position filled.
- Ignoring admission rules: ask early about degree recognition and the doctoral programme.
- Late visa planning: start the visa process as soon as you get an offer.
Who should apply and who shouldn’t
Apply if you have, or will soon have, a master’s in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, biophysics or a related life science, and you enjoy careful bench work. Students from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe with solid wet-lab experience are well placed, as the lab trains you in the advanced methods.
Don’t apply if you only want computational work with no lab component, if you lack a master’s degree or equivalent, or if you can’t start in early 2027. If you want a broader view of funded study in the country, see our guide to scholarships in the Czech Republic without IELTS and our scholarships in Europe list.
Similar funded PhD positions
| Position | Institution | Funding in advert | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Candidate in (Un)Structural Biology of Wnt Signaling | Masaryk University | Not stated | 23 December 2026 |
| Doctoral Researcher in Computational Genomics | University of Helsinki | EUR 2,600 to 2,850 per month | 19 November 2026 |
| University Assistant Predoctoral, Computer Science | University of Vienna | EUR 3,776.10 gross per month (full time) | 30 November 2026 |
| PhD Scholarship, Source Imaging for Drug Resistant Epilepsy | Swinburne University of Technology | AUD 42,440 per year stipend | 22 November 2026 |
The Wnt signalling PhD at Masaryk is the closest match if you like structural biology but want a second option in the same city.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Masaryk University structural biology PhD pay?
The ERC-funded salary starts at CZK 30,000 net per month and increases each year, with benefits such as medical insurance and six weeks of paid holiday.
Do I need cryo-EM experience for the CEITEC PhD position?
No. The advert says no prior cryo-EM experience is required, and you are trained at the local core facility.
Does Masaryk University help international PhD students with visas?
Yes. The Welcome Office supports visa and relocation before and after arrival.
What is the deadline for the Masaryk University fully funded PhD in structural biology?
Applications are open until 8 January 2027, but they are assessed on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as possible.
Sources and updates
I checked this post on 29 October 2026 against THE Unijobs listing 415438, which gives the project, funding, benefits, requirements, documents, contacts and the 8 January 2027 date. The advert links to the group’s pages on the CEITEC and Masaryk University websites, which I could not open from here, so check them for the group’s recent papers before writing your letter. University founding and city facts are general background. I will update this page if the position is filled or the date changes.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
