Doctoral researcher in the field of political and economic geography with a focus on foreign interference – project “OP JAK INTERFER – Foreign Interference in the Context of Geopolitical and Technological Change”

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The above-mentioned PhD position is to be filled within the framework of the project “INTERFER – Foreign Interference in the Context of Geopolitical and Technological Change”, reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_025/0008692, Programme Johannes Amos Comenius, call No 02_23_025 Social sciences and humanities: individual and humanity in contemporary global challenges.

Description of the PhD position

  • The INTERFER Project is an interdisciplinary research initiative focused on analyzing foreign interference by external powers in the context of current geopolitical and technological changes. It examines how foreign interference impacts public opinion, state adaptation, foreign policy, and how these dynamics evolve with new technologies and geo-economic factors. The Department of Human Geography and Regional Development at the University of Ostrava welcomes applicants who are interested in contributing to this project as a Doctoral Student.
  • The selected candidate must enroll as a regular student in Political and Economic Geography, a four-year doctoral study programme at the University of Ostrava and the only programme in Czechia that integrates political, cultural, economic, and urban geography/regional development.
  • The topic of dissertation must conform with the goals of the INTERFER research project, specifically: Work Package 2: Internal adaptation of states to the threat of foreign interference, and will be developed at the beginning of study. The geographical focus of study should be in post-Soviet Eurasia (including the Baltics) and/or South-Eastern Europe.
  • Possible supervisors include professors in the department who are also members of the research team within the INTERFER project: Vincenc Kopeček and Tomáš Hoch.
  • Doctoral students will actively participate in the research project under the guidance of their supervisor and other members of the research team (Vincent Artman, Andrea Peinhopf, and Martin Solik). Possible duties include: assisting with organizing fieldwork, conducting fieldwork, data analysis, literature reviews, and publication of results.
  • Students will also have opportunities to disseminate research results, including publishing their work, attending conferences, discussions with experts, students, journalists, etc. Funding is available to support these activities.
  • Please note: physical presence at the department is required (no hybrid, part-time, or remote study).

Qualifications and other requirements

  • Master′s degree in political geography, human geography, international relations, political science, security studies, area studies, or related study programme.
  • Documented experience (Master thesis or other publications/activities) with either foreign interference (broadly speaking) or regions being studied within the scope of INTERFER project Work Package 2 (post-Soviet Eurasia and/or South-Eastern Europe). This experience should be demonstrated either in the motivation letter or supplementary document.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English (equivalent of min. level B2). Knowledge of other languages is an advantage (in particular languages of the countries of post-Soviet Eurasia and South-Eastern Europe).
  • Experience conducting fieldwork, particularly in the countries of post-Soviet Eurasia and South-Eastern Europe, qualitative research methods (interviews, thematic analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis), and qualitative data analysis tools and software is an advantage.
  • Applicants should be independent, responsible, have a creative approach to work and study, and be able to work with a multi-national team.

Guaranteed doctoral income

  • According to Czech legislation, each doctoral student has a guaranteed doctoral income. For 2026, this is 24,960 CZK (approximately 1,000 EUR or 1,200 USD) per month. Health and social insurance for 2026, 2027, and 2028 fully covered by the university.

Expected start date of studies

  • September 1st, 2026.

Work and study environment

  • Pleasant environment at a progressive mid-size public university.
  • International team.
  • Ostrava is a city with affordable living costs, where industrial heritage meets vibrant culture. The city also boasts the best public transport system in Central and Eastern Europe (according to the PwC Smart Cities Mobility Index, 2024).
  • Czechia is one of the safest countries in the world (12th place according to the Global Peace Index, 2024), and scholars here enjoy the highest level of academic freedom in the world (according to the Academic Freedom Index, 2024).

Language in which the admission process will be conducted

  • English.

Detailed description of the admission process

  • Applicants must submit an electronic application (e-application) to the Faculty of Science of the University of Ostrava by 31st May 2026. After submitting the e-application, the applicant must deliver the mandatory attachments to the application to the Department for Science and Doctoral Studies of the Faculty of Science of the University of Ostrava by 7st June 2026. Note: in the e-application, the language of the doctoral study program is listed as Czech. This is a formal thing; the studies are completely in English.
  • The mandatory attachments are:
    1. Structured professional CV, including professional and publishing activities (if applicable).
    2. A brief summary of proposed dissertation topic and how it fits with the goals of the INTERFER project (1–2 standard pages, 1,800 – 3,600 characters with spaces). Applicants are advised to contact the potential supervisor in order to determine the suitability of the proposed topic before submitting their application.
    3. Motivation letter of no more than 2 standard pages (3,600 characters with spaces).
    4. Scanned copy of the highest academic degree.
    5. An officially certified copy of a university diploma; each applicant must have successfully completed master′s study program; applicants are required to submit an officially certified copy of their university diploma no later than on the day of enrolment in the first year of study, i.e., September 1, 2026.
  • Applicants will be invited for an online interview, which will take place in June 2026.

More details

For further details about the INTERFER project, please contact Assoc Prof Vincenc Kopeček, University of Ostrava INTERFER project coordinator, Deputy Head of the Department of Human Geography and Regional Development: .

General information about the doctoral study program in Political and Economic Geography can be provided by Prof Jan Ženka, doctoral study program coordinator: .

General characteristics of doctoral studies at the Faculty of Science of the UO.


Updated: 25. 02. 2026