How does the selection procedure at the University of Ostrava (UO) work?

Responding to a job advertisement

If you are applying for one of our open positions, please make sure to include all the required documents before submitting your application. The list of required documents is always provided at the bottom of each job advertisement and may vary depending on the specific position.

The essential document we need from you is your consent to the processing of personal data. Without this consent, we are not allowed to process your personal information, and therefore we cannot include you in the selection procedure. Please read more about how the University of Ostrava processes your personal data.

Once we receive your application, we will include you in the database of candidates for the relevant selection procedure. Please be patient while we process and review your application. Thank you for your understanding.

Stages of the selection procedure

Selection procedures at the university typically consist of two rounds (although there may be more). In the first round, we assess the application documents submitted by all candidates. The second round usually involves an interview with selected applicants. You can find the deadline for submitting your application at the bottom of each job advertisement, along with the list of required documents.

Candidates who are invited to the second round are usually contacted after the application deadline has passed. So if you applied shortly after the position was announced and have not heard from us yet, do not worry – it simply means the selection procedure is still ongoing. (Please note that job advertisements are published for at least 30 days.)

If you are not selected for the second round, you will be informed either after the first round (once the selection committee has reviewed your documents), or shortly after the entire selection procedure is completed (i.e. after a suitable candidate has been chosen). In any case, you will always receive a response.

The application materials of all candidates are assessed by a selection committee appointed for the specific selection procedure. The committee always includes the head of the unit/department where the position is advertised. For academic and research positions, at least one member is an external expert who is not employed by the University of Ostrava. When appointing committees, we ensure a high level of expertise, a professional approach, balance, and impartiality.

The committee then meets in the second round, which takes the form of an in-person or online interview with shortlisted candidates (the online format is used whenever an in-person meeting is not feasible, e.g. due to geographical distance). You will be informed that you have advanced to the second round by the HR Department, which will also provide all organisational details (date, place, time of the in-person/online meeting, link to join the interview) and send a formal invitation to your email address.

The selection procedure is a dialogue. The committee will want to learn about your experience, knowledge, and skills, and will present the content of the position. You also have the right to ask questions. Typically, you will be given time for questions at the end of the interview. Feel free to ask about the team, working environment, opportunities for further development, current challenges of the department, or anything else you consider important.If you cannot attend the interview for any reason, please inform us immediately. Whether an alternative date can be offered is at the discretion of the committee and cannot always be guaranteed.

Outcome of the selection procedure

We aim to make the interview a mutually beneficial and inspiring experience in a welcoming and respectful atmosphere. You will be informed about the outcome of the selection procedure by email, typically within 14 days after the interview.

If you are not selected, we sincerely hope you will continue to follow our job opportunities:

Successful candidates – Job offer and starting at the University

If you are successful in the selection procedure and recommended by the committee for the position, our HR Department will contact you as soon as possible. You will receive an official job offer summarising the basic terms of the employment contract and further details regarding your start date and conditions. If you accept the offer, the HR Department will guide you through the onboarding process. You will receive a personal information form to fill in, and – if required – a referral for a pre-employment medical check-up, which must be completed no later than on your first day of employment. We will also schedule your mandatory Health and Safety (OHS) and Fire Protection training, and the signing of your employment contract and other essential documents. Throughout the entire onboarding process, we are here to support you and happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are a citizen of a country other than the Czech Republic and your employment requires official permits, our HR Department will assist you in obtaining the necessary work and residence permits in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, you may be asked to provide a valid A1 certificate.

Residence and work permits for non-EU nationals

If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you must obtain both a residence permit and a work permit before starting employment at UO. The most common type of permit applied for by third-country nationals (non-EU) for the purpose of working at a university is the residence permit for the purpose of scientific research. This is a long-term residence permit (for stays longer than 90 days) issued to academic and research staff. It entitles you to both live and work in the Czech Republic.

A1 certificate – coordination of social security within the EU

You will need to provide an A1 certificate if you are:

a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, and
performing (or planning to perform) gainful activity not only in the Czech Republic but also in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

In such cases, if your employment at UO is combined with simultaneous paid work in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are responsible for applying for the A1 certificate from the social security institution in your home country. The A1 certificate determines which country’s social security rules apply to you, which is crucial information for our payroll department.

Please note that the processing time for issuing the A1 certificate is typically 30 days, but this may vary depending on the country of application.

We look forward to future cooperation.

You can find more details about how selection procedures are conducted at the University of Ostrava in our official Selection Procedure Code.

Would you like more tips on how to prepare for a selection procedure? Read our article.

Do you have additional questions? Check our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

If you have any further queries regarding a specific selection procedure, please contact the person listed at the bottom of the job advertisement.

Updated: 04. 09. 2025