SENIOR ASSISTANT

Based on Art. 40 of the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN 119/22), Art. 5 para. 4. and Art. 7 para. 1. and 3. of the Ordinance on the Announcement and Implementation of Public Competitions for the Purpose of Employment at the Institute of Physics, the Decision of the Scientific Council on initiating the selection procedure for a vacant position, Class: 002-22/25-02/2/40, Ref. No: 2 from the 10th session of the Scientific Council held on December 4, 2025, and the Decision of the Scientific Council from the 7th regular session held on July 7, 2026, Class: 002-22/25-02/2/40, Ref. No: 7, the director of the Institute of Physics announces:

COMPETITION

A competition is announced for the following position:

Ad.1. Senior assistant (f/m, 1 executor)

for a fixed term of 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 24 months, on tasks related to the implementation of the project HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9423 “Universality in the emergence in systems with strong interactions“ in the Theoretical Group for Condensed Matter Physics and Statistical Physics.

The assistant's mentor will be dr.sc. Ivan Balog (balog@ifs.hr).

The selected candidate may also be involved in international scientific collaborations, particularly with dr. sc. Adam Rançon (University of Lille) and prof. dr. sc. Bertrand Delamotte (Sorbonne Université).

Research work will be focused on the theoretical study of quantum systems and interacting systems out of equilibrium. The central theme is the interplay between dynamics and statistical properties in regimes where these two aspects cannot be clearly separated, for example, near critical behavior or in excited quantum matter. Special emphasis is placed on the characterization of fluctuations beyond standard mean values, including the study of probability distributions (large deviation functions) of physical quantities and the emergence of non-Gaussian and rare events. The project is intentionally set broadly, allowing the senior assistant to define specific research directions within this framework, including analytical, numerical, or field theory approaches.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with a strong background in statistical physics, quantum many-body theory, or related fields. Knowledge of field theory methods and the renormalization group, numerical simulations (e.g., Monte Carlo or other computational approaches), or a combination thereof is desirable. High motivation and excellent knowledge of the English language are expected from the candidate. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated excellence in scientific work, for example, through publications, presentations, awards, or other achievements. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to independently conduct research in theoretical or computational many-body physics.

Mandatory requirement: completed PhD in the field of natural sciences, field of physics (theoretical physics or related field)

Salary is regulated by the Decree on job titles, conditions for placement, and coefficients for salary calculation in public services (NN 22/2024).

The application must contain:

1. A motivation letter stating scientific interests and plans
2. A comprehensive CV highlighting the candidate's advantages and experience
3. A copy of the doctoral diploma or confirmation of the obtained doctorate
4. Contact information for at least one expert in the field of the doctoral topic (mentor or scientist in a higher position)

Candidates who meet the mandatory requirements of the competition will be invited for an interview and may be tested.

Applications to the competition must be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication in Narodne novine. Applications are to be submitted to the address natjecaj@ifs.hr in one single document in pdf format, in Croatian or English.

An application is considered regular if it contains all the data and attachments specified in the competition. Untimely and incomplete applications will not be considered, nor will the submitters of incomplete applications be called to supplement their application. Persons who submit untimely and incomplete applications or do not meet the formal requirements of the competition are not considered candidates applied to the competition.

If a candidate exercises the right of preference in employment according to a special law, they are obliged to invoke that right in the application for the competition and have preference over other candidates only under equal conditions.

Candidates exercising the right to employment preference according to Art. 102 of the Act on Croatian Defenders of the Homeland War and their family members (NN no. 121/17, 98/19, 84/21, 156/23), Art. 48 of the Act on Civil Victims of the Homeland War (NN 84/21), must, in addition to proof of meeting the required conditions, attach all necessary evidence available at the link of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans: https://branitelji.gov.hr/zaposljavanje-843/843

Candidates exercising employment preference according to Art. 9 of the Act on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities (NN 157/13, 152/14, 39/18, 32/20) and Art. 48.f of the Act on the Protection of Military and Civil War Disabled Persons (NN 33/92, 57/92, 77/92, 27/93, 58/93, 02/94, 76/94, 108/95, 108/96, 82/01, 103/03, 148/13, 98/19) are obliged in the application for the public competition to invoke this right of employment preference over other candidates, only under equal conditions.

In accordance with Article 13 of the Act on Gender Equality, persons of both sexes may apply for the competition.

Applicants will be informed of the results of the competition within the legal deadline.