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:
- Academic CV with GDPR clause
- Motivation letter (1 page)
- Copy of master’s diploma or Supervisor statement
- Copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements
- At least one recommendation letter from a researcher holding at least a PhD
- 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