MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 in Law

General information

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) is a prestigious funding programme designed by the European Union (EU) to boost careers of talented early-stage researchers.

Actual call (EU Funding & Tenders Portal) deadline is 10th September 2025.

This is the great opportunity for you! 

We are looking for promising young researches to apply for MSCA-PF with the Faculty of Law, Palacký University in Olomouc as the host institution. Please see the research topics listed below (section Supervisors & Research Topics).

Eligibility (MSCA PF General Criteria)

• You must possess a PhD degree by the MSCA PF call deadline (10th September 2025).
• You must have a maximum of 8 years of full-time equivalent research experience from the PhD award date.
• Mobility Rule: You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Czechia for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the MSCA PF call deadline.

What does collaboration with us offer you?

Current postdoctoral fellow Alla Fedorova, PhD speaks about the fellowship at the Faculty of Law:

• “The Faculty of Law provided me with tremendous support from the very beginning and assisted me greatly in preparing my application for the MSCA. A friendly atmosphere, amazing colleagues who are always ready to help, all the necessary equipment, a modern library, and strong professional networking opportunities make the Faculty of Law a uniquely excellent choice for my professional research and development.”
• “The success of the project and its achievements are largely determined by cooperation and synergy with the mentor. Renowned professors from various fields of law, who have extensive experience participating in numerous projects, share their knowledge, offer me invaluable professional advice, and provide me with support in everyday life in a new environment. I believe our cooperation will continue even after the project concludes.”
• “Beyond the Faculty’s high-level professional team, Olomouc—with its ancient charm and magic—quickly becomes a beloved city. The old city centre, cathedrals, enchanting parks, a botanical garden right across the street from the faculty buildings, and the incredible bird songs all add to its allure.”
• “I am happy to be pursuing my MSCA at the Faculty of Law of Palacký University in Olomouc. As an associate professor for many years, I can confidently say that this is the most productive period of my career.”

The MSCA PF Financial Conditions

The MSCA-PF grant fully covers all personal costs of the grantee (salary + legal contribution in Social Security and Health Insurance system). In the Czech Republic the MSCA's super gross salary will be approximately 5600 EUR per month. Further, the grantee will be provided with a budget on expenditures connected with the research and training activities, including travels, publishing costs, conference fees, workshops, etc. 

The UNIQUE alternative funding options in the Czech Republic - ONE PROPOSAL, 3 CHANGES THE GET FOUNDING!

The first of alternatives is the ERA Fellowships – additional EU funding for about 50 project proposal that were not supported under MSCA-PF. Eligible only for project applying with host institution from certain countries (including the Czech Republic). Proposals are automatically re-submitted in this competition, same conditions for implementation as MSCA-PF.

The second of alternative funding schemes is MSCA-CZ – additional Czech funding for projects that were not supported under MSCA-PF nor ERA Fellowships, but who obtained at least 70 % score in the evaluation within the MSCA-PF competition. Proposals are re-submitted in this competition by the Czech host/home institution; very similar conditions for implementation MSCA-PF and ERA Fellowships.

Are you interested? Choose your research topic and apply for the grant with us!

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Research Topics & Supervisors

The Czech Law and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (CLAiR)

Shape the Future of Law & Technology with MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

Are you a visionary postdoctoral researcher passionate about the intersection of Law and Advanced Technologies? Join a pioneering research environment!

The Czech Law and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (CLAiR) at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University Olomouc, led by Dr. Ondrej Hamulak (ORCID: 0000-0003-4147-2891; ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ondrej-Hamulak; Google Scholar: https://g.co/kgs/2mZXTh2) invites ambitious researchers to co-develop applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025.

CLAiR was created in April 2025 to stand at the forefront of exploring the complex legal and societal challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. This is a foremost opportunity to develop your groundbreaking research project, significantly boost your international career, and contribute to shaping the legal frameworks of our digital future.

Why Pursue Your MSCA PF at CLAiR, Palacký University?

• Expert Supervision in Law & Technology: Benefit from the direct mentorship of Dr. Hamulak, a recognized expert in EU Law with a strong focus on the legal implications of emerging technologies.
• Pioneering Research Institute: Conduct your research within CLAiR, a dedicated institute fostering forward-thinking scholarship on law and advanced technologies.
• Engage with our Innovative DigiLaw Programme: Collaborate and network with the vibrant academic community of our new international Ph.D. programme: Law and Digital Technologies. This offers unique synergies, including opportunities for guest lectures, joint seminars, and engagement with the next generation of digital law scholars.
• Contribute to a Developing Field: Play a key role in an intellectually stimulating environment, contributing directly to CLAiR's dynamic research agenda and Palacký University's growing reputation in law and technology.
• Career Acceleration: An MSCA PF at CLAiR provides an exceptional platform to establish your research independence, acquire specialist skills, and expand your global professional network in a rapidly evolving field.

 

Cutting-Edge Postdoctoral Research Themes at the Intersection of EU Law & Advanced Technologies

We are seeking to co-develop MSCA-PF proposals on novel and impactful topics. Drawing from Dr. Hamulak's expertise and CLAiR's focus, we particularly welcome projects in the following areas (though other original ideas at the nexus of EU law and technology are also encouraged):

1. The EU's Pursuit of Digital Sovereignty: Legal Architecture, Geopolitical Implications, and Fundamental Rights in the AFSJ Context

• Focus: This research will conduct an in-depth legal analysis of the EU's multi-faceted strategy for achieving digital sovereignty, as embodied in landmark regulations (e.g., Data Act, AI Act, Digital Services Act, Cyber Resilience Act) and key policy initiatives. It will critically evaluate the internal coherence and external impact of this agenda, particularly concerning international cooperation and data flows within the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). The project will assess how these ambitions align with the EU’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and fundamental rights in its global interactions, proposing frameworks to ensure a rights-based approach to digital sovereignty.
• Keywords: EU Digital Sovereignty, AFSJ, International Data Transfers, EU External Relations Law, Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights, EU AI Act, GDPR, Cybersecurity Law, Geopolitics of Technology.

2. EU Digital Citizenship in the Age of AI and Data Sovereignty: Redefining Rights, Identity, and Democratic Participation

• Focus: This research will investigate how the confluence of pervasive datafication, the rise of sophisticated AI, and the EU’s strategic push for digital sovereignty are fundamentally reshaping the concept, rights, and lived experience of EU citizenship. The project will explore the evolving interplay between data protection rights (GDPR, Data Act), emerging digital identity solutions (e.g., EU Digital Identity Wallet), AI's impact on civic discourse and participation, and the potential for these technologies to either bridge or widen the digital divide. It aims to propose legal and policy frameworks that empower citizens and ensure inclusive democratic engagement in a digitally transformed EU.
• Keywords: EU Citizenship, Digital Rights, AI Ethics, Data Governance, GDPR, EU Digital Identity, e-Democracy, Algorithmic Bias, Fundamental Rights, Digital Sovereignty.

3. Accountability of EU Bodies in the Algorithmic Era: Ensuring Rights-Compliant Governance of Advanced Technologies

• Focus: This project will critically examine the challenges to accountability and fundamental rights protection posed by the increasing adoption of big data analytics and AI tools by key EU bodies and agencies (e.g., Frontex, Europol, eu-LISA, ECB, EBA). The research will assess the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms (e.g., Fundamental Rights Officers, EDPS, European Ombudsman, judicial review by the CJEU) in scrutinizing complex technological systems. It aims to develop novel legal, ethical, and institutional frameworks for robust, transparent, and rights-compliant governance of advanced technologies by EU entities.
• Keywords: EU Agencies, EU Institutional Law, Accountability, Fundamental Rights, Big Data, AI Governance, Algorithmic Transparency, Oversight Mechanisms, EU Ethics Bodies, Judicial Protection.

4. Governing Algorithms: Upholding the Rule of Law in the EU's Technological Transformation (AFSJ Focus)

• Focus: This project will critically analyse the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithmic decision-making (ADM) – particularly those deployed by EU institutions and Member States within the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ, e.g., in predictive policing, automated border controls, AI-driven asylum processing) – on foundational rule of law principles. The research will scrutinize the adequacy of current and forthcoming EU legal frameworks (e.g., the AI Act, GDPR) and aim to develop innovative legal and governance models to ensure algorithmic transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, and effective remedies within the EU's AFSJ.
• Keywords: EU Rule of Law, AFSJ, AI Governance, Algorithmic Accountability, Explainable AI (XAI), Fundamental Rights, Judicial Protection, EU AI Act, Digital Justice, Legal Tech.

 

What CLAiR Offers MSCA PF Candidates:

• Dedicated supervision and mentorship in crafting a competitive MSCA PF proposal.
• Full access to Palacký University's extensive research infrastructure, libraries, and online resources.
• A collaborative and stimulating research environment within CLAiR, including regular seminars and workshops.
• Opportunities to develop teaching and mentoring skills within the DigiLaw Ph.D. programme.
• Comprehensive administrative support from the university throughout the application process and, if successful, during the fellowship.

 

Express Your Interest and Co-Create Your Future!

If you are a highly motivated researcher with an excellent track record and an original research project idea that resonates with CLAiR's focus, we are eager to hear from you!

Please send an initial expression of interest to Dr. Ondrej Hamulak at ondrej.hamulak@upol.cz and Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
2. A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with CLAiR's profile and one of the suggested themes (or your own related EU law & tech idea).

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest: 15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

Join CLAiR at Palacký University Olomouc and be at the vanguard of Law and Technology research!

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The Department of Political and Social Sciences

Are you passionate about cutting-edge research in Migration or the Rule of Law? Join our vibrant team as an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow!

The Department of Political and Social Sciences at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University in Olomouc, is home to researchers who are focused on various topics in political science or social sciences in general. We apply innovative and multidisciplinary approaches while focusing on the most salient issues, which often results in cutting-edge research. Our researchers are participating in national and European grant schemes that allow funding for their research. At the same time, the department covers a great variety of social sciences courses that are taught within study programmes from bachelor's level to doctoral studies. Members of the department are leading experts who are in touch with various NGOs and members of scientific networks and societies, which provides important contacts with the civil society and outreach to the research.

Although one of the oldest departments at the Faculty of Law, the Department of Political and Social Sciences is driven by a young, dynamic, and forward-thinking team of researchers covering a great variety of topics. Despite migration and the rule of law being covered extensively, our researchers also focus on EU affairs and effects of Europeanization, issues of international security, and especially hybrid threats, political parties, and political communication in the context of disinformation and propaganda. You are free to choose your own topic and our experts will guide you!

 

Why to join us?

• Enjoy the freedom to pursue your independent research agenda, supported by experienced mentors and a collaborative academic environment.
• Our experts will guide you from research design to publication and research promotion.
• Involvement in university projects and funding schemes.
• Possibility to participate in lectures and get in touch with students.
• Possibility to develop a partnership with NGOs and scientific societies.
• Be part of a strong institution and join young and skilled colleagues in a friendly, English-speaking environment that has experience in MSCA hosting.
• Availability of research infrastructure, including libraries or DigiHub, accessibility of access to university journals (Scopus/WOS indexation).

 

Do you wish to join the track?

The environment and focus on research topics are very dynamic, however, members of our team have strong experience in the following areas:

1. Migration Research

• In cooperation with other faculties and departments, we are involved in research dedicated to migration: from refugees from Ukraine, to measures preventing illegal migration or specific types of migration (including Covid-19 return migration or highly skilled migration), to the issues migrants are facing or that are somewhat linked to migration (e.g. language barrier or the perception of migration). Our work increasingly includes the study of diasporas as transnational actors that shape identity, political engagement, and economic flows between origin and host countries. Diasporic networks provide new perspectives on integration, remittances, soft diplomacy, and knowledge transfers. We gather our own data based on interviews or questionnaires, analyse it in a qualitative or quantitative way, interpret data in the context of theories, and conduct excellent research with practical impact as part of policy recommendations or serving as corrections of public debates.
• Keywords: Migration, refugees, asylum-seekers, highly skilled migration, European Union, diaspora, transnationalism, remittances

2. Rule of law

• Central Europe is rich in cases of democratic backsliding within the European Union. That is why our researchers focus on important issues at both the national and EU institutional levels, as well as the interaction between the two. The research also provides valuable opportunities for comparison with non-EU states across world regions, especially EU candidate countries undergoing processes of democratization and rule of law reforms. Our team investigates the conditionalities and normative pressures associated with the EU enlargement process, while also examining the role of local actors in shaping democratization trajectories. Special attention is paid to the transferability and resistance to EU democratic norms in hybrid or semi-authoritarian regimes.
• Keywords: European Union, rule of law, democratic backsliding, article 7 TEU, conditionality, EU soft tools for safeguarding the rule of law, democratisation, democratic consolidation, EU enlargement, hybrid regimes

3. Europeanisation of EU candidate countries

• The Department is focused on the study of Europeanisation processes beyond the EU’s borders, particularly in candidate and potential candidate countries. This line of research investigates how EU norms, institutional models, and policies are adopted, contested, or adapted in domestic political and administrative systems. We explore how the accession process catalyses institutional change, legal harmonization, and governance reforms, but also how domestic political elites strategically respond to EU conditionalities. The research is interdisciplinary and combines insights from political science, EU law, and sociology, contributing to both theoretical development and policy-oriented debates on enlargement and neighbourhood policy.
• Keywords: Europeanisation, EU conditionality, enlargement policy, institutional transfer, candidate countries, norm diffusion, resistance to EU norms

 

Have a research idea in mind? Let’s shape it together!

Please send an initial expression of interest to Dr. Lucie Tungul (lucie.tungul@upol.cz) and Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
2. A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with one of the suggested themes.

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest: 15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

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The Department of Administrative Law and Financial Law

The Department of Administrative Law and Financial Law offers a number of opportunities for the involvement of external postdocs. Members of the Department are involved in major research projects, have a range of contacts in the professional sphere, collaborate with a number of research institutes and can help negotiate internships in the non-academic sector. We cooperate with Czech Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, Office of the Public Defender of Rights. We have contacts with court representatives, a former judge of the Constitutional Court is an important member of our department as well.

 

We have strong experience in the following areas:

1. Legal aspects of cryptocurrencies

• At the Department of Administrative and Financial Law, Palacký University Olomouc, we are intensely engaged in the comprehensive legal aspects of cryptocurrencies. We focus on their regulatory framework, tax implications, potential risks, and impacts on financial stability, both nationally and internationally. Part of our research includes the current GAČR project titled "Crypto Assets as a Threat to the Sovereign," where we meticulously analyse the potential effects of cryptocurrencies on state sovereignty, monetary policy, and traditional financial systems.
• Keywords: Cryptocurrencies, Regulatory Framework, State Sovereignty, Financial Law

2. The legal and institutional aspects of automated decision-making in public administration

• At the Department of Administrative and Financial Law, Palacký University Olomouc, we conduct in-depth research on the legal and institutional aspects of automated decision-making in public administration. Our focus lies on the interaction between advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and algorithmic governance, and the fundamental principles of administrative law, transparency, accountability, and protection of individual rights. We analyze the implementation of automated systems in administrative procedures, their compliance with national and EU legal frameworks (e.g. GDPR, AI Act), and their implications for judicial protection and legal certainty. Our research includes participation in international academic networks and cross-sectoral collaborations, offering practical insights for public institutions, regulators, and private sector partners interested in lawful and responsible deployment of AI-based administrative systems.
• Keywords: Automated Decision-Making, Public Administration, AI Governance, Administrative Law, Accountability, GDPR, EU AI Act, Legal Certainty, Fundamental Rights

3. The Law and Sustainability curriculum

• Many of the department's scholars are involved in the Law and Sustainability curriculum, which emphasizes the integration of theoretical and practical information with respect to ESG principles. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These are criteria used to assess the impact of organisations on the environment, society and the way they are managed. ESG factors are becoming an important benchmark for investors, business partners and other stakeholders who consider sustainability and social responsibility in their decision-making.
• Keywords: ESG, Public Administration, Territorial Self-government

 

Have a research idea in mind?

Please send an initial expression of interest to Mgr. Petra Melotíková, Ph.D. (petra.melotikova@upol.cz) and Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
2. A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with one of the suggested themes. 

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest: 15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

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Department of Theory of Law and Legal History

We focus on the history of Central European legal science, with an emphasis on civil law, inheritance law from a comparative perspective, Roman law and national traditions in premodern law, the learned legal process, property interventions in the 20th century, Czech–Liechtenstein relations, propaganda and its manifestations in law and art, trials related to anti-state activities, modern legal philosophy, natural law theories, and human dignity in contemporary legal thought, as well as Islamic law and publishing law.

We contribute to the preparation of collective monographs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and commentaries. We collaborate with colleagues from academic institutions and archives in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Since 2024, the Department has been home to the Research Group for the History of Central European Legal Science, which supports interdisciplinary research in legal science in Central Europe and cooperation with the professional public in the Czech lands and abroad. Our current focus is on key figures in 19th-century Central European civil law and the sources of inspiration for Central European inheritance law.

From 2022 to 2024, the Department carried out the EEA and Norway Grants project The Liechtensteins in Czechoslovakia and Central European Legal Science, which will result in the publication of two volumes of a Czech-German edition of expert legal opinions on the legal status of the Liechtensteins in Czechoslovakia (Vol. I: 1918–1938; Vol. II: 1945–1949).

As part of our study of the interactions between secular and canon law, we also examine confessional law (both Czech and in a comparative perspective), including conditions for the registration of churches and the recognition of church and religious society status.

 

Have a research idea in mind?

Please send an initial expression of interest to Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Ondřej Horák, Ph.D. (ondrej.horak@upol.cz) and Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
2. A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with one of the suggested themes. 

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest: 15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

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Contact us

Have a research idea in mind? Let’s work together!

Please send an initial expression of interest Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

• A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
• A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with one of the suggested themes. 

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest: 15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

Do you have any question? 

Please contact us by email at hana.hurtikova@upol.cz (Dr. Hana Hurtíková).