Industrial Chair 2026
17th Public Competition of the SIGMA Programme – DC2: Industrial Chair
About the Institution
The Faculty of Pharmacy at Masaryk University (MUNI PHARM) is a leading center for pharmaceutical sciences and is currently undergoing a fundamental paradigm shift towards applied research and intensified industrial cooperation. In reaction to industry needs, the faculty established the Industrial Cooperation Center to focus on a practical and applied approach. At the core of this transformation is the emerging GMP Pilot Plant (Learn more), a unique facility designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and early-phase clinical trials. These strategic developments are anchored by the BioPharma Hub, a flagship investment of more than EUR 160 million that will provide over 30,000 m² of modern research and educational infrastructure (https://biopharmahub.muni.cz/en).
The Opportunity
This position offers a unique opportunity to build long-term, high-impact collaborations between academic institutions and industrial partners. Applicants can position themselves at the interface of cutting-edge research and real-world application, accelerating innovation and technology transfer to address pressing societal challenges and enhance competitiveness.
MUNI PHARM offers the possibility of an Industrial Chair application in the following expertises:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Pharmaceutical Quality Control
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Candidate Requirements
The successful candidate for the Lead Researcher (Industrial Chair) must meet the following criteria:
- Be an internationally recognised expert, regardless of age or nationality.
- Have a minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience abroad, including at least 2 years as a team leader.
- Demonstrate clear experience in applied research and commercialisation, including active cooperation with industry.
- Must not have been in an employment relationship with the host institution prior to the preparation of the proposal. Exception: previous studies at the institution are allowed, and advisory or board roles are not considered employment.
- Open also to Czech researchers returning from abroad.
- Commit to a minimum 50% employment at the research organisation (MUNI PHARM), rest in industry (MUNI Pharm can help).
- Actively participate in the preparation of the project proposal.
Key Dates and Fundings
|
Project Team: |
The core team will consist of the foreign researcher (Industrial Chair) and at least 3 early-career researchers from the main applicant (MUNI PHARM). The enterprise serves as an additional participant. |
|
Project Start Date: |
March 2027 |
|
Maximum Project Duration: |
84 months |
|
Maximum Funding: |
42 million CZK per project |
|
Competition Deadline: |
25 June 2026 – 12 August 2026 |
|
Announcement of Results: |
28 February 2027 |
How to apply?
To express your interest, please send an email with the subject "Industrial Chair 2026" and your attached CV to:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jan Gajdziok, Ph.D., Director of Industrial Cooperation Centre
Email: gajdziokj@pharm.muni.cz