Newsletter for PhD students and Postdocs

Josef Vavroušek Award

The Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, Prague, is announcing a public competition for student and scientific research works for the Josef Vavroušek Award devoted to various aspects of sustainability-related issues and values represented by the personality of Josef Vavroušek. Participation in the competition requires an already defended doctoral thesis and the applicant's age up to approx. 35 years. The financial reward for awarded works will be CZK 100,000 in total. More info.

Prizes are awarded in the following areas:

• Human ecology;
• Sustainable development;
• The economy of natural resources;
• Social ethics and economic system;
• Ethics and functioning of the political system;
• Social system as a holistic system with target behaviour;
• Social systems and discount of the future;
• International political and economic system, territorial international studies and global governance;
• Media communication and journalism supporting the values of life on Earth;
• Educational systems with these goals.

In the case of competitive works, the evaluators will especially appreciate:

- analysis of nature, society and culture relationships;
- the interdisciplinary nature of the approach or at least interdisciplinary overlap;
- resulting in public and social policy

The deadline for submitting your work: July 26, 2024, (12:00). 

Digital Competences and Tools in a Brand New Coat

Learn how to take advantage of the digital world around you in XS901/XS902 course! You will learn about the legal aspects of using images, and you will be able to use effective tools for learning and self-study. You will also deepen your experience with presentation preparation tools. You will keep your ideas structured and under control with a mind map. But we'll also look at how to read effectively, or how to search the web with clarity. We don't even forget topics like AI or cybersecurity. More info (In Czech).

Sign up now for the fall semester 2024!
Taught in Czech / partially online

EMBL 50th Anniversary Scientific Symposium From Atoms to Ecosystems – a New Era in Life Sciences

In 2024, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) will mark its 50th anniversary with an exceptional scientific symposium, inviting both virtual and in-person participation at Heidelberg on Thursday 4 – Friday 5 July 2024. The colloquium, themed 'From atoms to ecosystems – a new era in life sciences', will celebrate the remarkable journey of EMBL, from its inception in 1974 to the innovative and vibrant organization it is today.

The symposium will delve into the foundational scientific research, technology, service, and innovation that EMBL has nurtured over the past half-century. It will highlight the pioneering scientific contributions of EMBL, showcase how these have evolved over time to tackle global challenges, and explore cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs that EMBL is bringing to the life sciences of the future. The symposium sessions will feature presentations from current and former EMBL group leaders and pre/postdoctoral fellows. The first day will focus on research from cells to tissues, covering genome biology, developmental biology, protein structures, and complexes. The second day will delve into digital biology, the current EMBL research programme ('Molecules to Ecosystems'), and technological advancements past and present. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion on "The past, present, and future. A discussion with EMBL’s global community."

Join the EMBL community in celebrating half a century of life sciences breakthroughs at this special symposium. Be part of the inspiring journey of EMBL and witness the influential scientific discoveries that shape the future of life sciences.
Registration deadline: June 27, 2024  / Web.

When: July 4 - 5, 2024
Where: EMBL Heidelberg and Virtual

Barbora Rudzanová received the J. Michlová Prize from the Czech Learned Society

Text: Leoš Verner / Photo: Petra Nezvalová

Barbora received the award for her work published in the prestigious journal Environmental Science & Technology, in which she used transcriptomic analysis to describe the effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the development of B lymphocytes - a key component of the human immune system.

In her research, she is interested in how chemicals present in the environment around us can affect human health. Specifically, she focuses on the disruption of the immune system, which is often targeted by chemicals, and investigates the mechanisms of action of these substances at the molecular and cellular level. Thus, her work uses both laboratory skills (molecular biology methods) and biostatistical tools to process the large data from epidemiological studies. In her research she works with blood samples from people living in Brno and its surroundings (CELSPAC study), so the results can be considered as corresponding to the Czech population. In 2021, she completed a work placement at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, where she focused on the analyses of epidemiological studies, specifically the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on human health. She regularly presents her research at both, international and domestic conferences, and publishes in impacted scientific journals. She also enjoys presenting scientific topics to the general public, either to high school students or to the public on social media or at various popularization events.

Patrick Cramer: In science, you can only make a discovery once, you can't come in second place.

Text: Vladislava Vojtíšková / Photo: Irina Matusevič

Patrick Cramer is President of the Max Planck Institute. He officially opened three Dioscuri Centres in the Czech Republic to support excellent women and men scientists. After Poland, why did the Max Planck Society choose the Czech Republic to expand the programme to? What does it expect from the centres? And what does he think is holding back science in Europe? Read full article in Czech.

The Competition Start Your Business 2024 Already Knows its Winners!