Call for applications, funded PhD position 

ERC-CoG Project: ‘Romani Family in an Age of War’ (RAW), Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

Funded PhD position

THE INSTITUTION

The Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic, invites applications for a fully funded, four-year PhD position. The general aim of the Department of Mobility and Migration, where the project is based, is to understand the role of mobility and migration in the contemporary world and to describe and theorise how identities, practices, discourses, institutions, and places are formed and transformed as a function of movement through space and time.

POSITION

Under the supervision of Dr Martin Fotta, the PhD candidate will conduct ethnographic research among Romani or Domari communities in Europe or the Middle East that have been affected by wars and armed conflicts over the past forty years. The PhD candidate will work as part of a research team within the project ‘Romani Family in an Age of War’ (RAW) funded by the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant, 101170655). As the Institute of Ethnology is a research-only institution, the candidate will receive their PhD degree from Charles University.

JOB OFFER AT GLANCE

• Starting date: 1 July 2026 or as agreed
• Duration: four years
• FTE: full-time position
• Workplace: Prague or Brno (candidate must be ready to relocate to Prague or Brno)
• Salary: A gross salary of EUR 1950 per month, for four years, with an additional 4% increase each year.

YOUR ELIGIBILITY

• A master’s degree in social and cultural anthropology or related disciplines.
• Highly organized researcher with a demonstrated capability of working autonomously.
• Skills in qualitative methods essential, experience with ethnographic fieldwork desirable.
• Very good command of English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of fieldwork-related languages; knowledge of Romani is an advantage.
• Ability to present at international conferences and to contribute to communications aimed at the general public (blogposts, website, social media).
• Familiarity with critical race studies, anthropology of kinship and anthropology of violence is an advantage.

WE OFFER

• A cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and the exciting broader research environment of the Institute of Ethnology and the Czech Academy of Sciences.
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced scholars within an innovative research project.
• Possibility to learn different skills, such as ethnographic fieldwork methods, coding, analyzing qualitative data, writing journal articles and funding applications.
• Funding for fieldwork and conference travel.
• Fees for open access publications.
• Training seminars and workshops to further professional development.
• Institutional affiliation with the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University in Prague.
• 25 days of paid annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a family-friendly work environment.
• Pleasant working environment in the centre of Prague.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, candidates are required to submit the following as a single PDF document comprising:

• Motivation letter (max. two pages).
• CV (max. two pages).
• Research project proposal (including objectives and research questions, methodology, and timeline)
• A sample of a written work in English, previously published or unpublished (coursework is also acceptable).
• The names and contact details of two potential referees.

Applications should be emailed as a single file to ticha@eu.cas.cz under the subject “RAW PhD position” no later than 27 February 2026, 16:00 Central European Time.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in mid-March.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

"Romani Family in an Age of War (RAW)" is an innovative project funded by the European Research Council and led by Dr Martin Fotta. This project is carried out by a six-member team conducting ethnographic research with Romani (or Domari) communities in Europe and the Middle East. Fieldwork may be undertaken in, or with people originating from, a range of contexts affected by armed conflicts in the last four decades, including, for example, Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and the Western Balkans. RAW investigates transformations in Romani kinship in the aftermath of war, focusing on how kinship practices and relationships are used as social resources to cope with violence, displacement and uncertainty. The project explores everyday practices of care, shifts in relatedness networks, and generational perspectives to understand how experiences of war are reflected in kinship structures and family relations. By centering a vulnerable, dispersed, and non-contiguous ethnic minority, the project offers an original contribution to the study of war and its social consequences beyond majority-focused analyses.

FURTHER INFORMATION

We strongly recommend that prospective applicants contact Dr Fotta at fotta@eu.cas.cz for further information regarding the position and the project prior to applying.

Applications from Romani scholars are strongly encouraged. In cases where candidates are equally qualified, preference may be given to Romani applicants. Should no suitable candidate be found, the position will be reopened.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

Pdf version here.