The Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics PAS announces a competition for one Scholar-PhD Student position at the CTP PAS, within the research project SONATA „Thermodynamics of Information Processing: From Theory to Applications”, financed by the National Science Center (GA no. UMO-2023/51/D/ST2/02309). The project’s leader is dr Patryk
Lipka-Bartosik.
This project links foundational theory to practical applications in information thermodynamics — an interdisciplinary field spanning information theory, stochastic thermodynamics, and
quantum physics — and will explore several research directions:
- Thermodynamic computing: Developing physics-inspired models of computation that aim to lower energy consumption for machine-learning and information processing tasks
(see, e.g., arXiv:2308.15905). - Quantum phenomena in information processing: Investigating how genuine quantum effects can be harnessed to process information with improved energetic efficiency (see,
e.g., arXiv:2408:06418). - Optimization of thermodynamic protocols: Design thermal machines that exploit collective quantum phenomena to reach higher performance or lower dissipation (see,
e.g., arXiv:2411.00944).
The project is primarily theoretical, but establishing connections to experiments will be prioritized, with the goal of translating the project’s findings into real applications. The PhD student will work on at least one of these topics and will be strongly supported to propose and develop independent research directions. Emphasis will be put on developing international collaborations with both theoretical and experimental research groups.
The scope of work of the successful Candidates within the project will be
- Performing analytical calculations,
- Designing and running numerical simulations,
- Writing and publishing research papers,
- Presenting results at conferences,
- Preparing literature reviews.
We expect the Candidates to have:
- Strong motivation,
- Ability and enthusiasm to work in an interdisciplinary team,
- Good written and oral communication skills in English,
- Programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, MATLAB or similar),
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline.
The application must include:
- The scientific CV, including the progress in the university studies and transcript of records with grades, scientific achievements (publications, participation in research projects and conferences), with the clause „I agree to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents for the purposes necessary for the implementation of the process recruitment by the GeoPlanet Doctoral School”.
- Cover letter (1 page).
- A copy of the Master’s degree diploma, or a statement from the Candidate’s MSc Advisor about the planned date of diploma obtaining.
- Copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements.
- At least one letter of recommendation from a researcher with at least a PhD degree, concerning the candidate and his/her current scientific activity.
- Application for admission to the Geoplanet Doctoral School (Attachment no. 1 – see here).
Documents should be sent via e-mail to rekrutacja@cft.edu.pl until 31st October 2025.
In the e-mail’s title please add the reference No. PLB/23/2025.
The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the applicable laws in Poland and in accordance with the Resolution of the NCN Council no. 124/2022 of December 1, 2022, regarding the Regulations for the Awarding of NCN Scientific Scholarships in Research Projects Funded by the National Science Center, in the amount of 5.200 PLN net (4035,66 PLN from the project and 1164,34 PLN bonus from the means of CTP PAS) for a period of four years, with the first 36 months, being funded as part of the research project SONATA „Thermodynamics of Information Processing: From Theory to Applications”, financed by the National Science Center based on the grant agreement no. UMO-2023/51/D/ST2/02309, and the subsequent 12 months, being funded from other sources.
The scholarship can be topped up with additional activities, e.g. assisting in maintaining a group website, organizing seminars or others.
The position comes with the budget for computer equipment and business trips.
The competition will be settled by 15th November 2025. Selected candidates will be invited for
an interview. Candidates will be informed electronically on the results of the competition.
Admission to the GeoPlanet Doctoral School and the beginning of the scholarship are scheduled
for 1st December 2025 (earliest starting date) but no later than 1st March 2026.
Link to information on the GeoPlanet Doctoral School:
https://geoplanetschool.camk.edu.pl/doctoral-school/about-us/
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to: lbartosik@cft.edu.pl