27. 9. 2026, 13:38

Newsletter for PhD students and Postdocs

Save the Date:

Prickle Proteins in Vertebrate Neurulation and Beyond - Habilitation lecture by Jakub Harnoš. October 2, 2026, (10:00). UCB, B11/306

Life Sciences Seminar - Lecture by Mazhar Adli: "Genome Engineering To Model Diseases And Characterize Human Genes". Held in English. October 8, 2026, (16:00 - 17:00).  UCB, 11/132

Research Breakfast - Interview with Dr Jan Frič. October 27, 2026, (8:00-9:00).  Registration needed. Held in English. UCB Library

PhD Days 2026 - A university-wide event for doctoral students across Masaryk University. November 9-13, 2026. Komenského nám. 2, Brno

CERPEK Café & Punch - Interactive session: "How to Learn More Effectively, Remember More, and Improve Your Focus." December 1, 2026, (13:00-16:00). Komenského nám. 2. CERPEK, room 328

News Sci-ously:

MUNI SCI PhD Day: The First Step on the PhD Journey

What can you expect when embarking on a PhD? Where can you find opportunities, support, and practical information that may prove useful throughout your PhD? These were among the questions explored at this year's MUNI SCI PhD Day at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

The event, aimed primarily at first-year PhD candidates and Master's students considering a PhD, offered an overview of the opportunities and support available throughout a PhD programme. Participants learned more about career development, grants, mobility opportunities, and faculty and university support services. There was also plenty of space for networking and sharing experiences.

One example of how PhD Day can help shape future steps is Maja Klimentić. She attended her first PhD Day as a first-year PhD candidate. Inspired by the opportunities presented at the event, she later joined MUNI Mendel Doctorandus (MMD), a programme for talented PhD candidates that supports their development beyond their own research. “At my first PhD Day, I came across several opportunities I had not known about before. It was there that I first learned about activities and programmes that I later took advantage of during my PhD,” explains Maja.
This year, she returned to PhD Day as a more experienced PhD candidate, sharing her own experiences with those who are just beginning their PhD.

PhD Day showed that a PhD is about more than research. It also offers a wide range of opportunities provided by the faculty and university—opportunities that are well worth exploring and making the most of.

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoIf you missed this year’s PhD Day, have a look at the presentations that were given there:

MUNI Mendel Doctorandus Welcome Aboard by RMU Networking and Opportunities Mobility Programmes and Grants Career Consuelling at SCI MUNI

Don't Overlook!

Support for PhD Students’ Conference Participation

Funding of up to CZK 15,000 is available for active participation of PhD students in international conferences and related events abroad in 2026 (presentations, posters, workshops, summer/winter schools, etc.). Applications may be retrospective or prospective.

Apply via the Document Office in IS MU and attach proof of acceptance and a conference link. A stay-abroad record in IS MU is mandatory!

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoApplication deadline: October 15, 2026

Development Opportunities

From Lab to Market: Are You In?

Have a promising research result and wonder whether it could make an impact beyond academia? Or are you interested in innovation, business development and helping turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions? The NTK Knowledge Transfer Academy is looking for both Research Project Leads (students, PhD candidates, postdocs and researchers with a technology or research result to develop) and Venture Collaborators (students, graduates and young professionals interested in areas such as business development, product management, marketing, fundraising or market analysis). Held in English. More info / registration. 

Join a multidisciplinary team, gain hands-on experience and discover what it takes to bring research into practice.

When: October 2026 - April 2027
Where: NTK Education Centre, National Library of Technology, Prague 

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoApplication deadline: September 30, 2026 (or until capacity is reached)

Protect Your Ideas

The Technology Transfer Office at Masaryk University (MUNI TTO) offers the Create – Protect – Innovate: Bringing Ideas to Market (Entry Level) course. Part of the European Patent Office’s Modular IP Education Framework (MIPEF), it provides a practical introduction to intellectual property, helping participants understand how to protect inventions, use IP rights, and much more. The course will be held online and in English. More info.

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoApplication deadline: October 14, 2026

Internships

Take Your Research Across the Atlantic

Take your research, studies, or teaching experience across the Atlantic with the Fulbright Scholarship – one of the world's most prestigious international exchange programmes, jointly funded by the Czech and U.S. governments.

Whether you are looking to advance your academic career, expand your international network, or gain valuable experience at leading U.S. institutions, Fulbright offers a unique opportunity to make it happen. Czech universities and research institutions can also benefit by hosting distinguished scholars from the United States. For Czech students only. More info.

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoOctober 1, 2026, (15:00) – Application Q&A webinar. A great opportunity to strengthen your application before submission.

Open the door to new academic and professional horizons!

Take Your PhD to CERN

What if part of your PhD journey took place at CERN? The Doctoral Student Programme allows PhD candidates in physics, mathematics, computer science and related disciplines to pursue their research at one of the world's most prestigious scientific institutions. Students from Czech universities also benefit from additional national support during the selection process. The programme offers placements lasting from 6 to 36 months. More info.

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoThe application deadline is October 16, 2026

Boost Your Research Career with a Swiss Scholarship

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/2027 are aimed at highly qualified early-career researchers from abroad who wish to pursue a PhD or postdoctoral research at a Swiss university of applied sciences, ETHZ, EPFL, or one of the ETH Domain research institutes. Selection is based on academic excellence, the quality and originality of the project, and potential for future collaboration. More info.

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoApplication deadline: November 17, 2026.

Planning Research in Germany? DAAD Can Help!

Planning a research stay in Germany? DAAD scholarships for the 2027/2028 academic year are open to both PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Doctoral students can apply for research stays of 2–12 months, while postdocs can receive funding for 2–6 months at a German university or research institute. The next application deadline is November 16, 2026.
Explore the available opportunities and start preparing your application early!
More info (in Czech).

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoApplication deadline: November 16, 2026

Conferences

Where Cutting-Edge Research Meets the Next Generation of Scientists

Looking for inspiration, new connections, or a chance to explore the latest research trends? ICRC Days 2026 will bring together internationally recognised experts, PhD students, and early-career researchers in Brno on October 6–7, 2026. The conference will feature keynote lectures, young researchers’ presentations, a poster session, and discussions on science, education, and career development. While rooted in biomedical research, the event offers valuable insights into interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and the future of research. Held in English. More info.

When: October 6-7, 2026 
Where: St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, building 01, lecture hall

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoRegistration deadline: October 1, 2026

Turn Your Data into Discussion

Looking for a friendly conference where you can share your latest results, meet fellow researchers, and spark new collaborations? The XXV. Meeting of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists will take place on November 10–11, 2026, in Brno. PhD students and other early-career researchers are especially welcome in the Young Scientists Section, where presentations will be held in English and the best contributions will be awarded. More info & registration.

When: November 10-11, 2026
Where: Hotel Continental, Brno

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoAbstract submission: October 4, 2026.
     Registration for participants without a presentation: October 31, 2026. 

On the topic of... Well-being

Tune in to a Positive Vibe on Well-being Days Conference

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day (October 10), the MUNI Student Advisory Centre invites all students and staff to the Well-being Days Conference.

Elektrická žárovkaYou can look forward to:

  • talks and discussions with experts (both from Masaryk University and beyond),
  • practical tips on self-care and strengthening your resilience,
  • afternoon workshops exploring techniques to support your well-being,
  • opportunities to share experiences with fellow participants and light refreshments.

When: October 8 - 9, 2026, (9:30-19:30) 
Where: Komenského nám. 2, Brno

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravo Registration for individual sessions is required. Web in CZ / Web in EN

Publications:

Got an article? Show it off!

Hřbet ruky s ukazovákem ukazujícím vpravoWould you like to share your recent publication with the ESR community?
Send us a link to your article by email and include your supervisor in CC.
We’ll be happy to highlight your research in our newsletter!NovinySrolované noviny

Winterová, B., Sooriyabandara, C., Nekola, J. C., & Kumara, T. P.
Assessing the effectiveness of Sri Lankan marine protected areas: Challenges and recommendations. Conservation Science and Practice, e70360. Full article.

Sites we recommend to follow:

Life Science Seminar  Externí odkaz

Competitions for Students  Externí odkaz

Doctoral Studies  Externí odkaz

MUNI PhD Centre  Externí odkaz

Doctoral Study Income and other Scholarships  Externí odkaz

 

Develop Your Skills  Externí odkaz

MUNI Mendel Doctorandus  Externí odkaz

Archive of the Newsletter for Early-stage Researchers  Externí odkaz

Internal Education  Externí odkaz