About the Project and Position

The Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics PAN announces a competition for one PhD Scholarship position at CFT PAN, within the research project SONATA-19 titled "Thermodynamics of Information Processing: From Theory to Applications", funded by the National Science Centre (grant agreement no. UMO-2023/51/D/ST2/02309). The project is led by Dr. Eng. Patryk Lipka-Bartosik.

The aim of the project is to link fundamental research with potential technological applications in information thermodynamics — an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of information theory, stochastic thermodynamics, and quantum physics. The project will focus on three main directions:

  • Thermodynamic computations: developing physics-inspired alternative computational models to reduce energy consumption in information processing and machine learning (e.g., arXiv:2308.15905)
  • Quantum phenomena in information processing: investigating how quantum effects can be used to process information with higher energy efficiency (e.g., arXiv:2408:06418)
  • Optimization of thermodynamic protocols: designing thermal machines utilizing collective quantum phenomena to achieve higher energy efficiency (e.g., arXiv:2411.00944)

Tasks of the PhD Scholar:

  • Perform analytical calculations
  • Design and run numerical simulations
  • Write and publish scientific articles
  • Present results at conferences
  • Prepare literature reviews

Requirements:

  • Motivation
  • Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team
  • Good command of English, written and spoken
  • Programming skills (Python, Julia, MATLAB or similar)
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, computer science, or related field

Required Documents:

  1. Academic CV with GDPR clause
  2. Motivation letter (1 page)
  3. Copy of master’s diploma or Supervisor statement
  4. Copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements
  5. At least one recommendation letter from a researcher holding at least a PhD
  6. Application to GeoPlanet Doctoral School (Annex 1)

Documents should be sent electronically to: rekrutacja@cft.edu.pl by 31 October 2025. Include reference number: PBL/23/2025 in the subject.

The scholarship will be awarded according to Polish law and NCN Council Resolution No. 124/2022, amounting to 5200 PLN net for four years, with the first three years funded by the SONATA-19 project, and the fourth year from other funds. Additional activities, computer equipment, and business trips provided.

Competition results: by 15 November 2025. Admission to the Doctoral School earliest 1 December 2025, latest 1 March 2026.

GeoPlanet Doctoral School link: https://geoplanetschool.camk.edu.pl/doctoral-school/about-us/

Questions: lbartosik@cft.edu.pl