Charles University, in its mission to support early-career researchers in their professional development, is announcing a call for mentors for the 2025/2026 cycle.

The aim of the Mentoring Programme is to support the career development of early-career researchers through the sharing of informal practices and expert knowledge with more senior colleagues.

The Mentoring programme focuses on:

• Providing tools for the smooth career development of early-career researchers. It helps to effectively overcome obstacles and resolve career path dilemmas.

• Supporting equal opportunities and promoting cultural and institutional changes at Charles University, with an emphasis on supporting women in science and research.

• Actively involving mentors from the non-academic sector, fostering connections between academia and private sector.

Mentees in this programme are Ph.D. holders with a maximum of eight years of experience post-Ph.D. and are currently Charles University employees.

Expected Benefits of the Mentoring Programme:

• For mentees: Help in identifying and achieving career goals, access to new networks and information, and better work-life balance.

• For mentors: Improvement of mentoring skills, adoption of a supportive culture in working with early-career scientists and gaining new communication and leadership skills.

• For Charles University: Supporting women in science and research, introducing new career development practices for early-career scientists, and reducing gender segregation in midand high-level university management positions.

Requirements for Mentors:

• Experience: Mentors can come from academic institutions (both domestic and international) or non-academic environments (companies, government institutions, non-profit organizations, etc.).

  • Mentors from academia: Experienced researchers with at least eight years of experience in science and research after obtaining their Ph.D.

  • Mentors from non-academic sectors: at least eight years of working experience (no Ph.D. degree is required)

• Minimal Professional Distance: The mentor must not be an employee of the same

  department or institute as the mentee to ensure independence and objectivity of

  advice.

• Time Commitment: It is expected that there will be at least five meetings between

  the mentee and mentor over the course of one year.

• Pro bono: The Mentoring Programme for early-career researchers at Charles University does not provide financial compensation for the time spent as a mentor. Participation in the programme is on a voluntary basis.

  
  

Why Become a Mentor?

• Positive Impact: The opportunity to share your knowledge and experience to support early-career scientists in their careers.

• Networking: Expand your professional network and gain new contacts.

• Personal Development: Develop mentoring skills and gain new perspectives.

Time schedule:

How to Apply:

If you meet the experience requirements and are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out the application form.

Application Deadline: 31 August 2025

For questions, please contact Eliška Chrásková at with the subject line "Call for mentors."

We look forward to your participation and contribution to the success of this programme and the development of our researchers!

N.B. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.