The Masaryk University Preclinical Centre is a newly established research-support infrastructure facility of Masaryk University (MU), jointly built and operated by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science on the premises of the University Campus Brno-Bohunice. The Centre specialises in developing methods and approaches using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models, and includes facilities for breeding and experimental work with laboratory animals. The Centre’s mission is to advance biomedicine by providing cutting-edge technologies, expert know-how and services that link basic research with preclinical innovation, connect academia with industry, and turn scientific ideas into tangible results. The Centre also serves as a training facility for MU doctoral students, providing them with experimental facilities, access to modern preclinical research methods, and expert supervision as part of their scientific training. In this respect, the Preclinical Centre aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among students from different fields and to ensure a high level of practical skills essential for their professional development in both academic and applied settings.

Learn more about the Preclinical Centre here: www.preclin.muni.cz or Preclinical Centre | BioPharmaHub | Masaryk University

The Scientific Director will be responsible for:

• developing the strategy for the Centre’s scientific direction, including creating tools to achieve its strategic objectives;
• communicating with the faculty management on organisational matters (e.g. drafting and amending the Organisational Rules) and on the financial and incentive tools necessary for the operation and development of the Centre;
• preparing and submitting documents on the strategy, the fulfilment of the strategic plan and the operation of the Centre to the Centre’s Supervisory Board;
• cooperating with the Scientific Heads at the faculties, together with whom they shape the Centre’s long-term plan and coordinate its operation;
• overall methodological management of the Centre, including ensuring effective coordination of the activities of the individual Units of the Centre from both participating faculties;
• identifying new project opportunities that fulfil the Centre’s mission and coordinating the preparation of all project applications submitted by the Centre or in which it participates;
• setting up a methodological framework ensuring equal access to the Centre’s services under transparent conditions, and proposing internal regulations for the Centre’s operation so as to secure the conditions for fulfilling its tasks;
• representing the Centre externally, including brand building and active communication with academic, governmental and industry partners and stakeholders at the regional, national and international level;
• establishing appropriate conditions for the Centre to function as a training facility for students of undergraduate and doctoral study programmes;
• methodological guidance of the Centre’s Operations Director.

Requirements for the position:

• university degree in biology (sensu lato), medicine, biochemistry or pharmacy;
• PhD or equivalent academic degree;
• significant scientific and publication record in the field, demonstrating an international academic reputation;
• previous experience as head of a facility of a similar type (at least 5 years);
• previous work experience abroad totalling at least 10 years;
• experience in securing and successfully implementing international grant projects;
• demonstrable previous collaboration with the private sector, or other activities demonstrating the implementation and coordination of interdisciplinary/intersectoral projects;
• demonstrable experience in mentoring and supervising junior scientific and technical staff;
• personal and professional qualities for leading the facility’s research teams;
• excellent organisational and management skills;
• moral integrity and a clean criminal record;
• confident presentation skills and excellent written and spoken English;
• resilience to stress, initiative, positive attitude;
• independence, decisiveness, responsibility;
• systematic and thorough approach, ability to see tasks through to completion;
• ability to work in a team;
• readiness for a long-term, multi-year commitment.

We offer:

• a unique opportunity to be part of a new university centre from its very beginning and to directly shape its future, with an impact on medicine and cutting-edge research;
• the opportunity to implement your own ideas;
• the opportunity to interact with top research teams;
• new experience and opportunities for personal and professional growth;
• the professional background of the university and the support of the faculty management;
• flexible working hours, partial home office;
• employee benefits (meal allowance, 6 weeks of annual leave, pension insurance contribution, kindergarten fee contribution, tick-borne encephalitis vaccination and more).

Please submit your application together with the following documents:

• structured CV;
• cover letter;
• expected gross salary and the earliest possible start date