Start date: 1st January 2026
Duration: up to 2 years (with possibility for extension)
Location: Department of Zoology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, EU
Research group: https://www.fishevo.com/
Fishes have evolved remarkable visual adaptations to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments, including the deep sea. These modifications may include eyes, retinas, or the photoreceptor cells (cones and rods), as well as the photosensitive pigments rhodopsins. Our research explores the molecular evolution of vision across several fish model systems, with a primary focus on deep-sea species. We take a comparative approach, investigating lineages with striking visual specializations—such as multibank rod-only retinas, multiple rhodopsin duplications, or – on the contrary – complete loss of rod cells. Our core methodologies center on genomics and transcriptomics, with the ultimate goal of linking molecular patterns to functional adaptations.
We are looking for a passionate and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team, particularly someone with hands-on expertise in histological techniques such as immunohistochemistry and FISH. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work independently while also contributing to collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. Prior experience in the field of evolutionary biology, or with experiments on vertebrate retina is a plus, it is not a requirement. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of molecular evolution, sensory biology, and comparative functional genomics.
The successful candidate will join the Fish Evolution research group of Zuzana Musilova at Charles University in Prague.
We offer:
– an international research group with the ERC funding located in an inspiring historical city
– a competitive salary way-exceeding the average for the Prague city
– possibility to participate at international conferences and our collaborations
We seek:
– a candidate with motivation and enthusiasm for biology, nature and science willing to perform research on various groups of fishes
– a candidate with experience with histological techniques such as immunohistochemistry and FISH, and with ability to conduct experiments independently
– a candidate with a PhD degree in biology or related fields (or to be finished before starting the position)
The project [preliminary description]:
Some fish species have evolved extreme adaptations to their environment. For example, a novel visual system with unknown mechanism has been discovered in several deep-sea fish lineages (https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.aav4632). Our current project funded by the ERC Consolidator grant aims to study the extreme cases of visual modifications. We focus on deep-sea species with multiple rhodopsins, something very unusual for vertebrates. After the initial discovery we also expanded our studies to multiple fish lineages (not only from the deep sea) which have some unusual modifications of vision. Some species have uncertain identity of their photoreceptor cells (i.e. intermediate between rods and cones), and yet others have lost rod cells entirely. The main goal of the open position is to make a step closer towards function and complement genomic and transcriptomic information by histology of the fish retina.
The candidate is expected to present about his/her project at international conferences and will be authoring research publications. All nations applicable.
The application will be run via Charles University webpage, information and the link here will be updated accordingly. Please always coordinate your application with Zuzana Musilova (zuzmus[AT]gmail.com or zuzana.musilova[AT]natur.cuni.cz)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION:-)