1. Welcome

The Institute of Thermomechanics is a non-university public research institution. We are one of the 53 specialized research institutes that make up the Czech Academy of Sciences, which serves as our umbrella organization. While we are part of this prestigious academic network, the Institute operates with a high degree of legal and financial autonomy guaranteed by law. (Please note that because we are a research institution rather than a university, our staff members are researchers and scientists rather than academic professors, unless they hold an external academic appointment). We pride ourselves on a culture of open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative intellectual growth.

Our Mission

Our mission is to study properties of fluids and solids, their complex motions and interactions and processes occurring in them under thermal and/or mechanical loading. As a multidisciplinary research organization, we also study complex dynamics of mechanical systems, electromechanical energy conversions and their control using power electronic devices, and develop applications of thermal plasma.

To fulfill our mission, we create mathematical models and algorithms, diagnostic and measurement methods and scientific sensors and instruments. Besides curiosity-driven research, which is at the heart of our purpose, we transfer our knowledge to society by educating future scientists, promoting public awareness of science and applying our research findings in industrial settings and the public sector to initiate innovations in various fields of technology. To achieve the best results, we foster enthusiasm, motivation and confidence of our staff by implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and constantly enriching our Human Resource Strategy for Researchers.

Working With Us

Since 2021, the Institute has proudly held the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing an attractive, fair, and inclusive workplace for researchers from around the world. Our Human Resources team acts as your dedicated partner, guiding you through your career journey with us.

To ensure a supportive and transparent environment, we offer:

• A comprehensive benefit package tailored to support our staff’s well-being and work-life balance.
• An independent ombudsperson to guarantee a safe, ethical, and respectful workplace.
• Recruitment conducted strictly under OTM-R principles (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment), ensuring equal opportunities, fairness, and clear evaluation criteria for every candidate, regardless of where they apply from.

In addition to our internal provisions, our employees also have access to a wide range of centralized services and advantages provided by the Czech Academy of Sciences, including professional training, language courses, central knowledge transfer support, children’s groups, and employee discount programs.

The Institute promotes education and popularization of science; we participate in the annual Science Fair, and the Institute opens its doors to the public annually during Open Days, offering laboratory tours and public lectures.

2. Before You Arrive

Moving to a new country is a significant step for you and your family members, and we are here to help make your transition as smooth as possible.

Visas & Work Permits

For international researchers, particularly from non-European Union countries, we assist you and your family members with navigating visa processes and work permit applications through close cooperation with the EURAXESS Czech Republic office, located at the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Accommodation

While the Institute does not provide financial support for relocation, we offer guidance and limited assistance in securing housing before your arrival:

• Initial & Short-Term Stay: We can help arrange temporary accommodation, such as Hotel Mazanka, to give you a comfortable base during your first weeks (arranged via our HR Manager).
• Long-Term Housing: Following the successful completion of your probation period, additional options become available, including Czech Academy of Sciences employee apartments and reduced-rate rental housing through our partnership with Česká spořitelna.
• Private Market: For independent housing searches, we recommend verified local real estate portals and rental platforms.

3. Living

Our Location

Our main headquarters are situated in the Ládví campus (Prague 8), which is shared with several other institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences and includes on-site dining facilities.

The campus is located next to a major transportation hub, including the Ládví metro station, providing direct connections to the city center and other parts of Prague. The surrounding area includes a shopping center, medical services, restaurants, banks, and other daily amenities.

Moving to Prague

Moving to Prague brings you to one of the safest European cities with a high quality of life. Here are a few practical aspects to help you settle in:

• Public Transport: Prague features a very high-quality, safe, and reliable public transport network consisting of metro, trams, buses, and suburban trains. For regular commuting, long-term time coupons (Lítačka) are the most cost-effective solution and can be easily managed through the official PID Lítačka application.
• Financial Setup: The Czech Republic is a very “cashless” country where you can pay by card or phone almost everywhere. We will help you with opening a Czech bank account, and major banks commonly used by expats include Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank, and Air Bank.
• Healthcare: Employees working in the Czech Republic are automatically covered by the public health insurance system funded through salary contributions. It is recommended to register with a general practitioner (“praktický lékař”) soon after arrival for regular care. For emergencies, the universal emergency number is 112 or 155 for medical rescue services, with major facilities like Bulovka University Hospital conveniently located near Prague 8.
• Local Culture & Etiquette: The Czech academic environment is relatively formal during initial contacts, where addressing people by their academic titles (such as doctor, docent, or professor) is customary. While locals can initially appear reserved, they value punctuality, direct and polite communication, personal space, and independence.

4. Onboarding

Transitioning to a new scientific environment requires structure and support. Our onboarding process is designed to ensure a smooth transition from your first day to full integration into your workplace.

First Day & Induction

• First Day Welcome & Initial Briefing: On your first day, you will be welcomed by your supervisor (typically Head of Department), who will conduct your initial briefing on Occupational Health, Safety, and Fire Protection measures. This includes essential instructions on workplace premises, escape routes, fire extinguisher stations, assembly points, emergency contacts (including Fire Marshals and first-aiders), first aid locations, safety signs, restricted movement areas, prohibition of unassigned equipment operation, accident/incident reporting, workplace risks, Personal Protective Equipment principles, and work categorization. You will also receive your IT login credentials for internal systems, your email account, and access to the intranet, unless these credentials were already provided to you prior to your arrival (as they are sometimes distributed early to allow new employees to study internal regulations in advance).
• Specialized Safety Training: If your work involves operating specific machinery, technical equipment, hand tools, or appliances, appropriate training on their manufacturers’ instruction manuals and safety rules will be organized according to your job classification.

Mentoring & Support

• Scientific Mentoring: If you are interested in scientific mentoring (focused on research guidance) above and beyond the standard relationship with your direct supervisor, you can request it through HR, which will help identify if a suitable mentor is available.

Your Onboarding Buddy

Starting in a new environment involves learning many unwritten routines and practical details. While the assignment of an Onboarding Buddy is not automatic, whenever possible, we try to find a suitable person to act as your buddy—an experienced peer colleague from your department or research group.

• How your Buddy can help you: Your buddy is an informal, approachable contact during your first weeks. Feel free to ask them about practical matters, such as:
  • Navigating daily routines: Shared spaces (kitchens, printers), shared folders, internal communication channels, calendars, and seminar habits.
  • Understanding team culture: Informal procedures, group habits, and everyday life at the institute.
  • Finding the right contacts: Helping you identify who to contact for specific HR, IT, administrative, or safety questions.
  • First weeks check-in: Informally checking whether you are settling in well and encouraging you to ask questions early.
• What your Buddy does NOT do: To keep the role clear and effective, please keep in mind that your buddy is an informal peer support, not a formal authority. Your buddy does not:
  • Provide scientific supervision or evaluate your performance.
  • Handle HR, contract, visa, payroll, or legal matters (please contact HR).
  • Solve technical IT problems independently or provide formal safety training.
• Timeline & What to Expect:
  • Before arrival / First day: If a buddy has been assigned, you will receive their contact details alongside your key institute contacts (HR, supervisor, IT, safety).
  • First 2–3 weeks: Your buddy will be available for informal questions and practical orientation.
  • After month 1: You will be invited to give feedback in the onboarding evaluation form on whether this support was helpful.

5. Facilities

Our research is supported by infrastructure designed for experimental and computational work.

• Experimental & Laboratory Infrastructure: The core research is housed in our Prague headquarters, featuring laboratories dedicated to fluid dynamics and fluid-structure interaction, thermodynamics, vibration dynamics & vibrodiagnostics, non-destructive and destructive testing, opto-acoustic testing, material characterization, power electronics and electric drives, electrophysics, and the production of nanomaterials and catalytic layers for hydrogen devices. We develop our own scientific measurement instruments, sensors, and diagnostic methods.
• Aerodynamic Laboratory in Nový Knín (approx. 30 km from Prague): This facility provides specialized equipment for research in transonic and supersonic aerodynamics as well as environmental aerodynamics under controlled conditions.
• Plzeň Branch Facility (approx. 100 km from Prague): Our regional branch in Plzeň houses the Laboratory of Surface Technologies and Degradation of Materials, which focuses on the study of material degradation—covering metals, polymers, and composites exposed to mechanical, thermal, chemical, and environmental loads.
• Scientific Library: Our on-site Scientific Library provides researchers with access to specialized literature and databases.
• Computational Resources: To support mathematical modeling, algorithms, and simulations, we maintain high-performance computing capabilities for modeling physical systems and processes.
• Joint Workplaces: Our research network includes joint centers established with the Brno University of Technology (VUT), the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), and VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava. Additionally, we operate joint laboratories with the Technical University of Liberec, the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the CAS, and the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the CAS.

6. Support

Our intranet is fully bi-lingual, with all resources (news, newsletter, regulations, internal documents, employee guide to internal services, information resources on internal projects, external calls or mobility support). Employees receive remuneration consisting of a fixed component and a performance-based variable component. Additional financial bonuses are granted for publications in journals with an impact factor, participation in research grants, or management tasks.

Recruitment

The Institute follows Open, Transparent, and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) principles. Vacancies for research positions are publicly advertised (including in the Careers section of our website, Czech Academy of Sciences Career website, EURAXESS, and LinkedIn) at least 3 weeks before the application deadline. Selection is managed by an ad hoc committee appointed by the Director, ensuring no discrimination, recognizing diverse careers and mobility, and handling conflicts of interest transparently.

Ethics

The Institute adheres strictly to the Code of Ethics for Researchers of the Czech Academy of Sciences (focusing on scientific integrity, research objectivity, and publication standards) and the Code of Conduct of the Czech Academy of Sciences (focusing on a safe, fair, and respectful workplace free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination). Violations are addressed through internal supervisors, specialized committees, or ombudspersons.

Career Development

Career growth is structured across clear qualification grades (from Research Assistants to Senior Research Scientists and Emeritus Fellows). The Institute supports professional development, research freedom, work-life balance, and geographic or interdisciplinary mobility, ensuring fair conditions and opportunities for progression.

Evaluation

Researchers undergo regular performance evaluations (attestations) at least once every 5 years, or upon request. Evaluations are conducted by an Evaluation Committee—taking into account scientific output, grants, leadership, and teaching—to provide feedback, guide career advancement, and determine performance ratings and contract terms. Doctoral students are evaluated annually by the Committee for Doctoral Studies.

Language Courses

Subsidized language courses are available to all employees, who may attend classes in languages such as English, Czech, French, and German during working hours with supervisor approval, paying only a minimal handling fee. Optional courses in languages like Italian, Spanish, and Japanese are also accessible.

7. Contacts

Please direct all your inquiries to the Human Resources Office.

For detailed information, key documents, policies, and specific resources related to our institutional strategy, please visit the HR Award Home page. There you will find comprehensive sections covering recruitment, onboarding, career progression, ethics, working conditions, and Open Science, alongside direct contact details for our HR Award Manager.