Mentoring Programme for Postdocs: Call for Mentees Open

12 October 2026

Charles University announces the launch of the third year of its Mentoring Programme for Postdocs and invites postdoctoral researchers to apply for participation as mentees.

The aim of the Mentoring Programme is to support the career development of early-career researchers, both women and men, through the sharing of informal knowledge, professional experience and expertise with more senior colleagues.

The Mentoring Programme focuses on:

• Providing tools to facilitate postdoctoral career development and helping mentees navigate career-related challenges, overcome obstacles and address career dilemmas effectively.

• Promoting equal opportunities and fostering cultural and institutional change at Charles University, with a particular emphasis on supporting women in science and research.

Who can apply?

Mentees are early-career researchers, both women and men, who meet the eligibility criteria outlined below. Applicants are welcome regardless of their intended career path. Whether they plan to pursue habilitation and continue in academia or explore opportunities outside academia is entirely up to them.

Eligibility criteria for mentees

Postdoctoral status: As of the start of the Mentoring Programme on 1 February 2027, mentees must meet the definition of a postdoc established by Rector’s Measure No. 55/2025.

For the purposes of this programme, a postdoc is a Charles University employee who:

a) obtained their Ph.D. less than eight years ago, i.e. on or after 1 February 2019. This period is extended by the duration of maternity and parental leave and other periods specified in the Rector’s Measure;

b) holds a fixed-term employment contract with Charles University.

Professional independence: Mentees must not work in the same department or institute as their mentor. This requirement is intended to ensure the independence and objectivity of the advice provided.

Time commitment: Mentees are expected to participate in at least five meetings with their mentor over the course of one year.

Selection of mentees

The Mentoring Programme Coordinator reserves the right to review all applications and decide whether to admit applicants based on their stated motivation, expectations and alignment with the programme’s objectives. Applicants may not be admitted if their application does not demonstrate sufficient motivation or readiness to participate actively in the mentoring process.

Mentors

The Mentoring Programme offers a diverse selection of mentors from various academic disciplines and professional backgrounds. The list of mentors is available here.

Applicants can choose mentors from academia as well as from the private and public sectors. Those planning to pursue an academic career can choose from senior researchers at Charles University, other Czech universities and prestigious universities abroad. Applicants may indicate up to three preferred mentors.

Matching mentees with mentors

Matching will be based on the preferences indicated in the application form, where mentees can select mentors from the list provided. If several mentees express interest in the same mentor, the mentor will have the final say in deciding whom to work with.

Before the mentoring meetings begin, both the mentee and the mentor must approve the proposed match.

What can mentees gain from the programme?

• Identifying and achieving their preferred career goals through access to informal knowledge and new professional networks.

• Making informed decisions about developing the competencies needed to progress along their chosen career path.

• Making informed decisions about balancing their personal and professional lives.

Schedule of the cycle 2026/2027:

Call for mentors	until 31/8/2026
Call for mentees	12/10/2026–6/12/2026
Matching mentee-mentor pairs	12/2026–01/2027
Mentoring meetings	02/2027–12/2027

Timeline

How to apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in joining the programme, please complete the application form:

CALL FOR MENTEES – APPLICATION 2026/2027

Online Q&A session

To help prospective mentees learn more about mentoring, clarify their expectations and ask any questions they may have, we will hold an online Q&A session on 2 November 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The session will introduce the Mentoring Programme in more detail and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

If you would like to attend, please register using the following form:

Mentoring Programme for Postdocs 2026/2027 – Q&A Session

You can also find inspiration in the stories of selected mentoring pairs.

Application deadline: 6 December 2026

If you have any questions, please contact Eliška Chrásková at , using the subject line “Call for Mentees”.

We look forward to receiving your applications!

Please note: Information about the Mentoring Programme for PhD students is available here.

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.