MASARYK UNIVERSITY
The Dean of Faculty of Social Studies
OPENS A POSITION
of
Assistant professor at the Department of Political Science
specialising in political behaviour, quantitative methods and spatial data
Workplace: Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno
Position type: academic position | EU Researcher Profile R2
Workload: 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week)
Start date / duration of employment: January 2027 or by agreement; fixed-term contract for a period of three years.
Application deadline: 25.11.2026
Who we are looking for
The Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, is looking for a colleague with a strong research profile in political behaviour and advanced quantitative methods. We are seeking a researcher able to link electoral and survey data with spatial, environmental or other contextual data and to apply modern causal and longitudinal approaches to the study of political participation, electoral decision-making and political attitudes.
Main responsibilities
- teaching in bachelor's and master's degree programmes, particularly in political behaviour, electoral studies and quantitative methodology;
- supervising bachelor's and master's theses;
- own research and publication activity in political behaviour, particularly political participation, electoral decision-making, political attitudes and the accountability of political actors;
- involvement in the preparation and implementation of national and international research projects;
- contributing to the organisation of primary data collection and to the development of the department's methodological infrastructure;
- cooperation with academic partners in the Czech Republic and abroad, and participation in the academic life of the department.
Requirements
- a completed Ph.D. in political science or a related social science discipline;
- a research focus on political behaviour, electoral studies or a closely related field;
- advanced skills in quantitative data analysis and experience with causal inference from observational or quasi-experimental data;
- advanced statistical programming skills, particularly in R; knowledge of Python is welcome;
- use of advanced quantitative methods and causal inference when working with observational and quasi-experimental data;
- linking individual-level, electoral and survey data with spatial, environmental or other contextual data; experience with advanced methods such as fixed-effects models, difference-in-differences, multilevel modelling or related causal approaches;
- a relevant publication record and potential for further publication development;
- university teaching experience or demonstrable potential for high-quality teaching;
- advanced English sufficient for independent teaching and academic work; ability to teach in Czech or Slovak;
- an international profile evidenced, for example, by research collaboration, mobility, joint projects or publications, and the ability to work in a team.
Desirable qualifications
- experience researching political behaviour in Central and Eastern Europe;
- experience organising primary data collection;
- experience preparing or carrying out competitive research projects funded by national or European programmes.
What we offer
- the academic environment of a research-oriented university and the facilities of the Faculty of Social Studies, MU;
- the opportunity to develop your own research agenda in political behaviour and methodology;
- involvement in the research, project and international activities of the department and the faculty;
- support for professional development and international mobility;
- flexible working hours and employee benefits in line with the current rules of MU and FSS MU;
- a workplace in the centre of Brno.
Selection process
The selection procedure will be conducted in accordance with the Masaryk University Selection Procedure Rules and the rules of FSS MU. After a check of formal requirements, applicants will be assessed against the criteria listed above. The next round will include an interview, which may take place in person, in hybrid form or online.
The committee will consider in particular the fit between the applicant's expertise and the needs of the department, the quality and prospects of their research and publication activity, methodological skills, teaching experience, international profile, project experience and potential for teamwork.
How to apply
Please apply via the Masaryk University online application form. Attach a structured academic CV, a cover letter, a list of publications, an overview of research and project activities, an overview of teaching activities and supervised theses (if applicable), and proof of qualifications to the extent required by the FSS MU Human Resources Office.
Masaryk University supports equal opportunities and open, transparent, merit-based recruitment and selection.
