Start date: 1st January 2026
Application deadline – 14th of July 2025 (the candidate has to be selected by 1st of August)
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. The candidate should contribute to characterization of vision in several non-model groups of ray-finned fishes (deep-sea groups, rod-less sturgeons, etc.) studied in our group, plus the candidate is expected to conduct functional experiments involving rhodopsin loss using crispr method (optional; no previous experience needed).
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 to address evolutionary questions related to rod cell diversity, differenciation, or loss in several species with unique vision. 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 to be part of the ERC project “SensingDEEP: deep-sea fish vision pushing limits of the vertebrate eye”.
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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 – to be consulted individually)
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 (CV + motivation letter) should be sent to Zuzana Musilova (zuzmus[AT]gmail.com or zuzana.musilova[AT]natur.cuni.cz). The (pre-)selected candidate will additionally apply (with my guidance) via Charles University Junior Fond programme to be eligible for more competitive salary. The candidate has to be pre-selected by 1st of August and then proceed with the formal application (everything will be coordinated with me).
THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION:-)