Postdoctoral Position in American Cold War Parapsychology (Project SCIBEL) Institute of Ethnology, Czech Academy of Sciences in Czech Republic

Fully funded postdoctoral position in American Cold War parapsychology within the ERC CZ project Beliefs and Science: Shaping Occult–Science Frontiers in Cold War Parapsychology (SCIBEL) at the Institute of Ethnology, Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic.

The project investigates one of the most intriguing intersections of science, religion, occultism, and knowledge production in the twentieth century. The selected postdoctoral researcher will focus on archival and printed sources on parapsychology in the American and broader transnational contexts, paying particular attention to ties between the United States and the Eastern Bloc. The role involves contributing to analysis of relationships between science and occultism/esotericism through the example of parapsychology, drafting solo and co-authored research articles, presenting findings to scholarly and public audiences, and participating in outreach activities.

The position is hosted by the Department of Critical Heritage Studies, part of a leading Czech research institute with an internationally connected environment spanning anthropology, ethnology, heritage studies, religious studies, and related fields. The wider SCIBEL team includes the Principal Investigator, Dr. Pavel Horák, a doctoral researcher, and two other postdoctoral researchers working on Czechoslovak and Eastern European/Ukrainian materials. The project also combines historical work with ethnographic interviews, making it attractive to researchers interested in qualitative and interdisciplinary approaches.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD or near-completion in sociology of knowledge, history of science and technology, philosophy of science, contemporary history, ethnology, study of religion, or social anthropology; strong qualitative methods skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively; very good English; Russian is an advantage; and comfort with conference presentations and public communication.

Funding and conditions: the position is fully funded, full-time, and initially offered for one year with the possibility of extension to 3.5 years in total. The gross monthly salary is 55,000–65,000 CZK, with the higher level available to candidates who have completed their PhD. The project also supports fieldwork, archival research, conference travel, and open-access publication costs. The workplace is Prague, and the successful candidate must be ready to relocate.

Application window: apply by 25 September 2026, 15:00 Central European Time. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview expected on 1 October 2026.