Mgr. Petra Straková, D.Sc.

Životopis

Tvůrčí činnost

Informace

POSTDOC POSITION OPEN! (send your application by February 28, 2026)

🌿 We are hiring a Postdoc in Plant & Soil Spectroscopy (FTIR)!
Peatland Ecology Group, University of South Bohemia (České Budějovice, Czechia)
🔗 https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en/peatlands

Our Peatland Ecology Group is looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on plant–soil interactions and carbon and nutrient dynamics in peatland ecosystems. The position has a strong focus on FTIR spectroscopy, chemometrics, and large spectral datasets.

Ideal for candidates working with FTIR, spectral data, PCA/PLS modelling, or chemometric analysis who are interested in applying their skills to environmental research. Previous experience in peatland, soil or plant ecology is not required. We welcome candidates from analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, chemometrics, or data science who want to apply their expertise to environmental questions.

You will work on:
• Developing spectroscopy‑based analytical methods
• Processing and interpreting spectral data
• Multivariate modelling and chemometric model development (R/Python)
• Building and managing spectral libraries/databases
• Interdisciplinary research linking spectroscopy, environmental chemistry, ecology & ecosystem modelling

 ✨ What we offer
• Supportive, friendly and international research environment
• Opportunities for collaboration and research stays abroad
• Full‑time contract for 18 months (possible extension)
• Salary 55 000–65 000 CZK/month (comfortable living standard in the region)
• 5 weeks of vacation, health insurance, pension contributions
• High quality of life in a safe and affordable region of Czechia

 🎓 Requirements
• PhD in organic/environmental chemistry, soil biology, ecology, biostatistics, or related field
• Strong experience with spectroscopy, chemometrics, multivariate modelling
• Ability to work with large spectral datasets and spectral libraries
• Proficiency in R/Python
• Strong organizational and teamwork skills
• Excellent English

 📅 Start: April 2026 (negotiable)
📌 Deadline: 28 February 2026 (applications reviewed continuously)

 📨 How to apply
Send a single PDF (motivation letter, CV with publications, contacts for two references) to: Tato e-mailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty. Pro její zobrazení musíte mít povolen Javascript.
Contact person: Petra Straková

If you do not meet all requirements but are enthusiastic about joining us, feel free to apply and explain your situation in the cover letter.

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WETLAND CONFERENCE - SWS Europe 2026 - České Budějovice, Czechia, June 29 - July 2, 2026

Abstract submission open now! (deadline March 15, 2026)

Dear fellow wetland scientists, 

We organize the upcoming 21st Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists Europe Chapter. 

You can find all information about the conference on the conference website: 

swseurope2026.cz 

We are currently collecting abstracts and shaping an engaging, high-quality programme that will reflect the latest advances and ideas in the field, while encouraging networking in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Explore the preliminary conference schedule and take a first look at what to expect in both the scientific and social program.

See who will be joining us — confirmed speakers.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Czechia! 

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Shortly about me:

Specialized in chemometrics and FTIR analysis of plants and soil

Member of the Peatland ecology working group at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia

Profile at the University of Helsinki

Publications

 0000-0003-4447-6361

My research focuses on biogeochemical processes in boreal peatlands and their responses to climatic and/or land-use changes. I studied the interactions between plant community composition, microbial enzyme activity, rates of organic matter (plant litter, peat) decomposition and environmental conditions in pristine and drained peatlands. In this work, I apply FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric methods to characterize changes in litter and soil organic matter composition and to extract meaningful patterns from complex datasets. My ultimate qoal is to quantify how each of these factors contribute to the C sink/source function of peatlands under different conditions, and to provide decomposition data and models that could be used for verifying the functionality and reliability of ecosystem-level C models and for developing them further.

This research was initiated during my doctoral study at the University of Helsinki, Finland, results from the early stage of litter decomposition process are summarized in my doctoral thesis "Carbon dynamics in peatlands under changing hydrology: Effects of water level drawdown on litter quality, microbial enzyme activities and litter decomposition rates" (approved with distinction -kiittäen hyväksytty-, received the Doctoral Thesis Award from the Finnish Society of Forest Science).