Summary
The Faculty of Science at Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic) is inviting expressions of interest by 30 September 2026 from outstanding senior researchers to collaborate on proposals under the Horizon Europe ERA Chairs call HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01.
The successful ERA Chair holders will establish permanent research groups, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, contribute to postgraduate education and researcher development, and support institutional reforms aligned with European Research Area priorities, including open science, transparent recruitment and research careers.
Applicants of all nationalities are eligible.
Deadline for expressions of interest 30 September 2026
Opportunity
Charles University is recruiting prospective ERA Chair holders for two strategic research areas:
- Advanced Population Projections and Modelling (Department of Demography and Geodemography)
- Integrative Metabolic Physiology and Bioenergetics (Department of Physiology)
Successful applicants will work with Charles University to prepare an ERA Chair proposal and, if funded, establish and lead new internationally competitive research groups in Prague.
Funding details
Both positions will be supported through applications to the Horizon Europe – WIDERA ERA Chairs (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01) call. The project duration is 5 years with an indicative budget of approximately €2.5 million per ERA Chair. The proposal deadline is 14th September 2027.
The opportunities in more detail
ERA Chair in Advanced Population Projections and Modelling
The successful candidate will lead the development of a research programme focused on advancing demographic forecasting methodologies. The research will contribute to evidence-based policymaking on major societal challenges such as population ageing, migration, healthcare planning and pension sustainability. The ERA Chair will establish a high-performing research group within the Department of Demography and Geodemography.
ERA Chair in Integrative Metabolic Physiology and Bioenergetics
The successful candidate will develop research linking cellular bioenergetics and mitochondrial function with tissue, organ and whole-organism physiology. Areas of interest include metabolic regulation, metabolic flux analysis, metabolomics, physiological resilience, ageing, environmental adaptation and advanced metabolic phenotyping. The ERA Chair will establish a new research group in integrative metabolic physiology and bioenergetics.
Candidate profile
Both opportunities are open to internationally recognised researchers (R3/R4 level) who have:
- a strong track record in their respective research field;
- experience leading research teams and securing competitive research funding;
- the ambition and leadership skills to establish a high-impact research group; and
- the ability to contribute to the long-term research excellence of Charles University.
In accordance with the ERA Chairs call requirements, candidates must not have an existing contractual relationship with Charles University. The working language will be English.
Contact
Interested researchers are invited to submit a short email together with their CV by 30 September 2026 to katerina.chmelikova@natur.cuni.cz to begin an informal discussion about the relevant ERA Chair opportunity before preparing a proposal under the Horizon Europe ERA Chairs call.