Introducing the Junior Faculty

What motivated the creation of the Junior Faculty community at the Faculty of Science, and how many members do you currently have?

The Junior Faculty was established with the aim of connecting and supporting early-career independent researchers and academics across the faculty. The Faculty of Science hosts numerous junior research group leaders, assistant professors, lecturers, and other colleagues who face similar professional challenges, often with limited interaction with peers from other departments.

We want to create a space for sharing experiences, mutual support, and open discussion on how to advance high-quality research, teaching, and the academic environment. At the same time, we seek to ensure that the voices of early-career independent academics are better represented in discussions about the future direction of the faculty.

At present, the Junior Faculty has 13 founding members from eight departments of the Faculty of Science. We are currently welcoming additional members and believe the community will continue to grow in the coming months.

 

Who is the Junior Faculty intended for, and how do I know whether I belong to this group?

The Junior Faculty is intended for academic staff holding a Ph.D. whose primary employer is the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, and are pursuing an independent academic or research career. This includes, in particular, research project and group leaders, assistant professors, lecturers, and other academics at a comparable career stage. We would also like to emphasize that both Czech and international colleagues are welcome.

In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: they are within 15 years of obtaining their Ph.D., within 10 years of appointment as an assistant professor or lecturer, or within eight years of receiving their first major grant as principal investigator. Career breaks, such as parental leave or long-term illness, are not counted toward these limits.

 

What needs of early-career researchers and academics is the initiative intended to address?

Our goal is to build a community where people can exchange experiences and support one another throughout different stages of their academic careers. Recurring topics include grants, student supervision, research group development, teaching, administrative processes, career advancement, returning from abroad, and balancing professional and personal life.

The Junior Faculty also aims to ensure that the needs of younger independent academics are more effectively represented in discussions about the faculty’s development.

 

What are the benefits of connecting younger academics across departments and disciplines?

Many of the challenges faced by junior academics are shared across disciplines. Biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, and geographers often encounter similar issues. By fostering connections across the faculty, they can share experiences that might otherwise remain confined within individual departments.

Such connections may lead not only to collaboration and new projects but also to a stronger sense of belonging to the faculty as a whole. Informal networking also plays an important role. We feel that opportunities for such interactions have become less common, particularly since the pandemic.

 

Based on your experience, what challenges do early-career researchers and academics most frequently encounter?

One of the most common challenges is the demanding transition to independence. Early-career academics are expected to publish, secure grants, teach, supervise students, build research teams, handle administrative responsibilities, and plan their future career paths—all at the same time.

For those returning from abroad or entering from different academic systems, understanding local regulations and available support mechanisms can also be difficult. Other important issues include long-term funding, job stability, and clear career prospects.

 

What specific benefits does membership in the Junior Faculty offer?

Above all, membership provides the opportunity to become part of a community of people at a similar career stage. Members will be able to share experiences, establish connections across the faculty, and jointly address topics important for the development of research and teaching.

We plan to organize regular meetings, thematic discussions, workshops, outreach seminars, informal networking events, and an annual Junior Faculty conference. Members will also be able to participate in thematic working groups focusing on areas such as research, teaching, faculty development, and career-related issues.

 

Can members influence the direction and activities of the community themselves?

Yes, and this is one of the core principles of the Junior Faculty. We do not want to create another formal structure but rather a vibrant community whose direction is shaped by its members.

Everyone will be able to propose activities, discussion topics, and suggestions for the faculty leadership. A Steering Committee will also be elected from within the community to coordinate Junior Faculty activities and represent its members externally.

 

What events or meeting formats are planned for the first months of operation?

In the near future, we will focus primarily on recruiting new members and introducing the initiative across the faculty. At the same time, we are preparing the inaugural Junior Faculty Conference, which is expected to take place in January 2027.

In addition, we plan regular meetings of members and the Steering Committee, thematic discussions, seminars, happy hours, and other informal events. The specific programme will also be shaped by the interests of newly joined members.

 

What role will the Junior Faculty play in discussions about faculty development and conditions for young researchers?

The Junior Faculty aims to serve as a constructive partner in identifying ways to improve conditions for early-career independent academics and researchers. We are currently discussing its formal recognition as an advisory body to the Dean of the Faculty of Science.

Our goal is to bring the perspectives and experiences of academics in the earlier stages of their careers to the attention of faculty leadership and to contribute to an open discussion about the faculty’s future development.

 

How can the community support researchers and academics returning from parental leave or other career breaks?

Returning after a longer career break can be challenging. The academic environment evolves rapidly, and individuals often need to restart research projects, grant applications, teaching activities, or student supervision.

The Junior Faculty can provide contacts, shared experiences, and a space where such issues can be discussed openly. It is also important that career breaks are not counted toward the formal membership eligibility limits.

 

What would you say to colleagues who are unsure whether to join the Junior Faculty?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to complete the membership application form. Membership carries no obligations, but it will allow you to stay informed about planned activities and get to know other members of the community.

You can first attend one of our meetings and see for yourself how the Junior Faculty operates. If the initiative resonates with you, you can become more actively involved. The broader the representation of disciplines and departments, the better the community will reflect the needs of early-career academics across the faculty.

 

What is your vision for the Junior Faculty in five years?

We would like the Junior Faculty to become a natural part of faculty life—a place that helps both new and existing academics navigate the academic environment, establish collaborations, and develop their careers.

In five years, we hope to see a thriving network spanning multiple departments, regular events, active dialogue with faculty leadership, and tangible improvements in support for early-career independent researchers and academics. Equally important will be the long-term sustainability of the initiative and its ability to engage new generations of members.