Research Professor (Ethology (animal behaviour))
CALL FOR COMPETITION FOR A POSITION
Research Professor (Ethology (animal behaviour))
Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center.
The date of the call for the competition: 7 January 2026.
Deadline for document submission: 6 February 2026 (local time zone UTC+2)
Research professor at Vilnius University is an internationally recognised leader in their science field; it is the highest position in research at the university. The research professor’s responsibilities include organising and performing scientific research and experimental development activities, as well as disseminating its results at national and international levels, training researchers, providing expert recommendations, and educating the society at large.
Description and responsibilities of the position:
It is expected that the Research Professor will independently (and/or in collaboration with other researchers) initiate and conduct high-quality national and international research in ethology and herpetology and will publish the results of their research in internationally recognised journals. They will seek to attract external funding for research activities being implemented, as well as submit the applications for and implement the funded projects. They will form and lead a group of researchers conducting research in vertebrate behaviour and ecology. They will supervise students’ doctoral dissertations, final theses (when necessary), and the work of research fellows. As an expert in their field, they will provide insights and recommendations to the public (when necessary). They will foster professional relations with their colleagues abroad. They will take an active part in national and international associations in their field. They will implement other functions assigned to a research professor related to research, methodological, and organisational activity, as provided for in the legal acts of Vilnius University.
Required qualifications:
Doctoral degree in behavioural biology, ethology or ecology.
Supervision of at least one successfully defended doctoral dissertation or postdoctoral intern.
Experience in securing national and international research project funding and conducting the highest
international standard scientific research.
Publication of research results in the highest-standard scientific journals in their research area.
In case the candidates are of equal standing, the following will be considered an advantage:
work experience and research fellowships at the highest-reputation international academic institutions; experience in leading research projects; experience in organizing and conducting research expeditions; scientific outreach activities.
The selection of candidates will be held on the basis of qualitative expert evaluation and, when necessary, in other ways. A more detailed description of the procedure for holding recruiting competitions is available HERE.
Start of work: 1 September 2026, the contest is held for a five-year term of office.
Workload: Full-time position.
Official monthly salary (gross): EUR 4240.
Candidates shall submit the following documents:
Description of academic activities in English together with a list of publications (when completing the Activity Plan section, please prepare an activity plan that would be aligned with the priorities of the Vilnius University Strategic Plan and the action plan of the Life Sciences Center).
Curriculum Vitae.
Certified copies of qualification documents and diplomas (not applicable to current Vilnius University employees).
All documents shall be submitted to , with ‘Research professor (Ethology (animal behaviour))’ in the subject line.