Postdoctoral positions

In accordance with the Rector's Directive of Comenius University in Bratislava (Internal Regulation No. 4 of Comenius University in Bratislava "Postdoctoral Stays at Comenius University in Bratislava"), which is based on the recommendations of the European Charter for Researchers, a "postdoctoral researcher" is understood to be a graduate of the third level of higher education (the holders of a title PhD), who completed their study at a university other than Comenius University Bratislava, no later than three years before the allocation of the postdoctoral stay and who are under of 35 years of age.

A postdoctoral stay is based on a fixed-term employment contract for a duration of one year. Alongside with the employment contract, the postdoctoral researcher also concludes a grant agreement (see link provided below). The postdoctoral stay is linked to the implementation of grant projects, for which the host of the postdoctoral researcher is typically the principal investigator.

Based on a positive evaluation of the postdoctoral researcher's work, the stay may be extended, however, the total duration of the postdoctoral stay have not to exceed three years.

When extending the stay or the employment contract, the condition regarding the time limit of completing doctoral studies and the age requirement is no longer considered.

There is no legal entitlement to the extension or renewal of the employment contract.

https://uniba.sk/veda/postdoktorandske-pobyty/grant-postdoktoranda-uk-gukpost/

and

https://uniba.sk/fileadmin/ruk/veda/postdoktorandske_pobyty/2024/GUKPOST/Zakladne_informacie_a_podmienky_GUKPOST_def1__SK.pdf

Postdoctoral researchers at the faculty have obtained their positions through one of the following methods: 

• Faculty call – this call is announced annually, usually in April. The call is published on the faculty’s website in the "Postdoctoral Positions – Current Offers" section and in the "News" section.
• Rectorate call at Comenius University in Bratislava – this periodic call is advertised on the university’s website, typically in April. The full call is available at: https://uniba.sk/en/research/postdoctoral-visits/
• Through the Slovak Government Office
• As part of host-led research projects

Postdoctoral researchers funded by the faculty call:

• Dr. Vahideh Ilbeigi is working at the Department of Experimental Physics under the supervision of Prof. Štefan Matejčík. She initially joined via an MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action) postdoctoral position.
• Dr. Nicholas Hananea at the Department of Applied Informatics under the leadership of Prof. Ľubica Beňušková is currently working.
• Dr. Christopher Robert Morison works at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, where is his host is Assoc. Prof. Pavol Bokes.
• Dr. Alireza Vahidi is a member of the staff at the Center for Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, his host is Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Roch.
• Dr. Yasamin Khaefi’s arrival is currently being arranged, her hosts will be prof. Róbert Jajcay and prof. Martin Škoviera.

Postdoctoral researchers continuing research via the rectorate call:

• Dr. Bernard Gitura Kimani works at the Department of Astronomy, Earth Physics, and Meteorology under Prof. Zdenko Machala.
• Dr. Ivan Alexander Urbina Medina operates at the Department of Experimental Physics under Prof. Pavol Veis
• Dr. Rashid Aripram is currently working at the Department of Astronomy, Earth Physics, and Meteorology under the supervision of  Assoc. Prof. Karol Hensel.
• Dr. Bernard Gitura Kimani works at the Department of Astronomy, Earth Physics, and Meteorology under Prof. Zdenko Machala.
• Dr. Ivan Alexander Urbina Medina operates at the Department of Experimental Physics under Prof. Pavol Veis 
• Dr. Rashid Aripram is currently working at the Department of Astronomy, Earth Physics, and Meteorology under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Karol Hensel.

Postdoctoral positions filled on the basis of the Rector’s Call for the 2025/2026 academic year: 

• Dr. Daria Denisova works at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, and her host is Prof. Fedor Šimkovic.
• Dr. Supratik Mukherjee works at the Department of Experimental Physics under the leadership of prof. Roman Martoňák.
• Dr. Umer Sherefedin Yasin also works at the Department of Experimental Physics in close collaboration with his host Assoc. Prof. Juraj Országh
• Dr. Karvan’s arrival is currently being arranged, her host will be Assoc. Prof. Peter Čermák.

Dr. Niloufar Babaadam’s stay has recently been extended, and she continues her research on the project under the supervision of Prof. Peter Moczo at the Department of Physics of the Earth and Meteorology.

Based on the first call for postdoctoral fellowships within the program "Postdoctoral Fellowships at Comenius University in Bratislava 2025-2026," announced by the Rector of Comenius University and published on the university's website the following postdoctoral researchers have been awarded grants:

• Dr. Irina Zabaikina, who will work at the Department of Mathematical Analysis and Numerical Mathematics under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Pavol Bokes,
• Dr. Jozef Rajník, who will be based at the Department of Computer Science, with Prof. Martin Škoviera, as his host.
• Dr. Eliška Eckerová, who will work at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, hosted by Prof. Fedor Šimkovic,
• Dr. Zuzana Bardačová, who will also be based at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics under the supervision of Prof. Fedor Šimkovic

The full text of the call 

Scholarships from the Slovak Government Office – via Research and Innovation Authority (VAIA)

As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Slovak Government Office, through the Research and Innovation Authority (VAIA) and EU co-funding, has provided scholarships for outstanding researchers affected by the war in Ukraine.

In 2023, the faculty created four postdoctoral positions under this initiative, three of which were filled at the Department of Experimental Physics:

• Dr. Mykhaylo Bilogovskyy, works with Assoc. Prof. Maroš Gregor,
• Dr. Ihor Shpetnyy, collaborates on a project led by Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Pleceník,
• Dr. Olena Zhytlukhina, hosted by Dr. Leonid Satrapinskyy.

The fourth position at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics remained unfilled due to unforeseen circumstances involving the selected candidate.

Additionally, Dr. Oleh Turutanov, who began collaboration in 2022, is also a researcher affected by the conflict in Ukraine and works along with Prof. Miroslav Grajcar.

The SASPRO 2 program, co-funded by the European Union as part of Horizon 2020, brings together three leading Slovak research institutions Comenius Univesity (CU), Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), and Slovak University of Technology (STU).

Within the framework of this project, Dr. Martin Krššák continues his research under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Blažek at the Department of Theoretical Physics.

In 2024, the faculty secured two major research projects that enabled additional postdoctoral positions.

Prof. Zdenko Machala, Head of the Department of Astronomy, Earth Physics, and Meteorology (KAFZM), established a research group focused on biomedical and environmental applications of cold plasma. Their research includes air purification, vehicle exhaust gas treatment, and CO₂ recycling using electrical discharges combined with chemical catalysis. In connection with this research he obtained the project EnvAdwice.

As part of the EnvAdwice project, the following postdoctoral researchers are working at the faculty:

• Dr. Atikukke Sahithya
• Dr. Adriana Mišúthová
• Dr. Alex Destrieux
• Dr. Zlata Kelar Tučeková
• Dr. Ram Avtar
• Dr. Kiran Ahlawat

Dr. Mohammed Abdulsalam has also been working under Prof. Machala’s supervision on a project focusing on cold plasma technology for advanced wastewater treatment.

Another key initiative supporting postdoctoral research at the faculty is the COLOSSE project, which strengthens Slovak-Czech research collaborations. This project involves Comenius University in Bratislava, Masaryk University in Brno, University of West Bohemia in Plzeň.

Researchers from the Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, which belongs to the faculty, Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Pleceník, PhD. and Assoc. Prof. Marián Mikula, PhD. run this project COLOSSE. Under their suppervision  postdoctoral researches Dr. Kateryna Smyrnov and Dr. Vinicius Crus San Martin are working.

The faculty also offers several other postdoctoral opportunities, although they tend to be shorter-term in nature.

The duties of the postdoctoral researcher and the guarantor are regulated by the Rector's Directive of Comenius University in Bratislava, specifically internal regulation no. 2/2025 from January 2025.

The primary duty of the guarantors is to develop a professional growth plan for the postdoctoral researcher within 14 days of the postdoctoral researcher's commencement of their postdoctoral stay. This plan is approved by the dean of the faculty and is binding. It includes detailed information about the stay, particularly:

• Formal requirements,
• Connection to a project,
• Content and objectives of the stay, including a timeline,
• Expected outcomes,
• The end date of the postdoctoral stay.

During the postdoctoral researcher's tenure at the faculty, the guarantor ensures that the working conditions for the postdoctoral researcher are in line with the labor code, internal regulations of Comenius University and the faculty, and the collective agreement of Comenius University.

The basic duties of the postdoctoral researchers are:

• To fulfill the professional growth plan,
• Publish the results of scientific activities related to the research project that the doctoral student is working on or contributing to,
• To present the results of their scientific work at a workplace (department) seminar at least once per half year,
• Before the end of the postdoctoral stay, at the date set by the dean of the faculty, to submit a report on the results achieved during the stay to the dean of the faculty and the vice-rector for science and doctoral studies of Comenius University.

FMFI UK Bratislava, in accordance with the Directive of the Rector of Comenius University regulating the accommodation process at CU (Internal Regulation No. 15/2024), provides accommodation for postdoctoral researchers within two accommodation facilities directly managed by the university: 

• Mlyny UK – the accommodation complex is located in Slávičie údolie within the student campus in Mlynská dolina
• Družba UK – the accommodation facility is located near the faculty

In case you are interested in accommodation within the capacity of Mlyny UK, it is advisable to complete the relevant form well in advance, ideally immediately after obtaining a postdoctoral position: https://mlyny.uniba.sk/en/accommodation/employee-accommodation/

A similar process applies in the case of interest in accommodation at hotel Družba. For information about available capacity and accommodation availability, the hotel can be contacted well in advance at the following e-mail address: dormitory@druzba.uniba.sk. 

If a postdoctoral researcher is either not offered housing in the above facilities or prefers other arrangements, the university provides support and alternative options on its website. 

Dining Options at FMFI UK and its surroundings can be found using the link below:

https://zona.fmph.uniba.sk/sluzby-a-administrativa/jedalne-listky/

Holiday oportunities

Employees are eligible for two holiday related contributions.

The first contribution is based on Act No. 311/2001 Coll., Section 152a of the Labour Code.

This one could be applied to employees whose contracts are not shorter than 24 months of continuous employment.

The second contribution is based on the Collective Agreement.

This alternative possibility relates also to postdoctoral fellows. Postdoctoral fellows are entitled to the contribution in the full amount € 200, if they  meet these conditions: 

1. have a full-time contract,
2. have not be in a probationary period,
3. to spend at least two nights in the same accommodation facility,
4. to submit a request using the prescribed form together with invoice and payment document, receipt or bank confirmation depends on the way of payment, for ammount exceeding 200 €.

The contribution amounts to €200 once per year and applies to stays within the territory of the Slovak Republic as well as to stays abroad.

If the employment contract is for less than full-time work, the contribution is provided proportionally.

Comenius University offers holiday accommodation for its employees in its own recreational facility, situated in beautiful natural surroundings that provide opportunities for a wide range of sports activities. The area also offers many cultural and historical landmarks nearby. The attached link provides detailed information, including the price list.

https://uniba.sk/o-univerzite/rektorat-uk/ucebno-vycvikove-zariadenia/uvz-uk-richnava/

Arrangement of temporary residence

The terms of entry, stay, and issuance of documents for the foreigners in the territory of the Slovak Republic are legally regulated by the provisions of the Act No. 404/2011 Coll. and the relevant amendments.

Postdoctoral fellows who are EU residents

The stay of EU residents in the territory of Slovakia is regulated by § 112, section 1, and the stay of their family members by section 2.

EU residents have the right to stay for three months from the date of entry into the Slovak Republic without any other conditions and formal requirements. During this stay, they prove their identity either with a valid identity card or a travel document.

However, the EU citizens also have the obligation to register at the relevant department of the foreign police within 10 working days (as well as their family members) if accommodated privately. In practice, this means filling in the "Registration of Stay" form (Slovak version, English version), which is delivered to the relevant foreign police department, for example, as registered letter. If the EU citizen is accommodated through a public accommodation provider, the provider fulfills this obligation and invites the foreigner to fill in the registration form and ensures its delivery to the police department within five days from the beginning of the accommodation.

Postdoctoral fellows from third countries

The obligations of nationals of third countries are dealt with in § 111, section 2, which imposes on the holder of a national visa (or Schengen visa) the obligation to inform the relevant foreign police department about the beginning, place, and expected duration of their stay within three working days. This obligation is fulfilled by filling in the form "Registration of Stay" (Slovak version, English version) and delivering it to the relevant foreign police department, e.g. by registered letter.

In accordance with the aforementioned Act (section 26, paragraph 2), temporary residence for the purpose of research and development is not required for up to 90 days from the start of residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic, if the third-country national meets the conditions for residence under a specific regulation and has fulfilled the obligation under § 111 paragraph 2 letter a).*)

At the same time, a third-country researcher is permitted to conclude a fixed-term employment contract (for a period of one year).

However, it remains the obligation of postdoctoral researchers from third countries to secure their continued stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic in the form of a temporary residence permit. 

The administrative processing of the requests related to obtaining temporary residence for the faculty’s postdoctoral researches is handled by the Doctoral Studies and Postdoctoral Fellowships Office. Requests should be submitted via email: katarina.matejcikovafmfi.uniba.sk.

Based the faculty’s request the foreign police will assign the applicant a term when the postdoctoral fellow or doctoral student shall appear at its office and submit the following documents: 

• A valid travel document, 
• a completed application for temporary residence in hard copy - "Žiadosť o udelenie prechodného pobytu/Application for the temporary residence".
• A certificate of good conduct, which is fulfilled by an authorized copy of the criminal record of the country in which the postdoctoral fellow or doctoral student has stayed for more than 90 days during the last three years and which relates to the entire country (not to a specific state of the country, district, etc.). 
  In this case, the document must be no more than 90 days old at the time of entry into the territory of the Slovak Republic. This is confirmed by the entry stamp in the passport and by presenting the plane ticket. At the same time, the requirement of uninterrupted stay in the Slovak Republic must be met.
• A hosting agreement (postdoctoral researchers). The agreement text can be found in the next section, 
• an administrative fee in the form of a revenue stamp.

All submitted documents must be in Slovak language or translated into Slovak by a translator authorized for official translations. A list of authorized translators can be found on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic. 

In case the subject of the translation is not the original document but only its copy, it is necessary to confirm the conformity of this copy with the original at any notary office in the Slovak Republic or any registry office in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

To prove the date of a researcher’s arrival to the territory of the Slovak Republic, a stamp placed in the passport upon arrival is used, as well as a flight ticket or another travel document.

The postdoctoral fellow cooperates with his/her host and the Doctoral studies and Postdoctoral Fellows Office of the faculty to secure the necessary documentation.

Pursuant to Section 131k, paragraph 2 of Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Stay of Foreigners, a third-country national who has submitted a request for a temporary residence under Section 31, paragraph 3, or permanent residence under Section 44, paragraph 1, at a police department is entitled to stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic until a decision on this request is made.

^*) § 111

Obligation of the third country national

(2)  A third country national is required to report to the competent police department within three working days of entering the country:

a) the beginning of the stay, the place and expected length of stay, whether he has been granted a Schengen visa or a national visa, or whether a visa is not required, unless this obligation is fulfilled by the accommodation provider. In such a case, the police department will issue a confirmation of stay.

A postdoctoral researcher who has been granted temporary residence and issued a residence card is required, within 30 days of receiving it, to submit to the Foreign Police Department a medical certificate not older than 30 days, proving that they do not suffer from a communicable infectious disease. The medical certificate is issued by specialized facilities, so called centers for exotic (tropical/foreign) diseases.”

In the Bratislava district, these services are provided by the following institutions:

• Poliklinika cudzokrajných chorôb, ZAMA s. r. o., Americké námestie 3, 811 08 Bratislava, https://www.cudzokrajne.sk/kontakt/ , +421 2 52 92 56 88
• Inštitút očkovania a cestovnej medicíny s. r. o., Teslova 33, 821 02 Bratislava, https://www.inocem.sk/kontakt.html , +421 2 4463 54 73
• Medicínske zariadenie Mlynská Dolina s. r. o., Staré Grunty 56, 841 04 Bratislava, https://www.klinikamd.sk/en/kontakt , +421 2 3231 3020
• Travel Health Clinic s. r. o., Tehelná 3120/26, 831 03 Bratislava – mestská časť Nové Mesto, https://thclinic.sk/ , +421 905 742 898

The examination and issuance of the certificate is subject to a fee (approximately €150), and the certificate must be collected in person.

This obligation does not apply to persons who are citizens of European Union member states.

Another obligation of the postdoctoral researcher is to obtain health insurance no later than 3 days after receiving the residence card. The document confirming health insurance, which may be either a copy of the insurance contract or a officially verified copy of insurance card, must also be submitted to the Foreign Police.

Both documents may be sent by registered mail.

The Hosting Agreement form have to be completed by the postdoctoral researcher in collaboration with their host. Once completed, the agreement have to be signed by the researcher and submitted in three copies to the Department of Doctoral Studies and Postgraduate Stays for further administrative processing.

A request for document processing can be made either in person at the relevant department or electronically at katarina.matejcikovafmph.uniba.sk. This should be done as soon as an appointment at the Foreign Police Department is scheduled, but no later than five calendar days before the planned appointment.

After approval and signing by the faculty dean, the agreement is published in the Central Register of Contracts of the Slovak Republic and assigned an identification number. Of the three submitted copies, two are returned to the postdoctoral researcher, with one required for submission to the Foreig Police.

If the employment contract is extended, a new hosting agreement have to be prepared, published, and submitted to the Foreig Police along with the necessary attachments. This must be done within the specified deadlines and according to the procedure outlined above.

Hosting Agreement
(.pdf) (.docx)

Basic information about health insurance for foreigners

Researchers – postdoctoral fellows coming to the territory of Slovakia from third countries must have valid commercial health insurance for the entire duration of their national visa.

After concluding an employment contract, regardless of the country they come from, they are in an employment relationship with the faculty, and health insurance is provided through the employer in the form of public health insurance.

Public health insurance coverage is provided by the following insurance companies: 

• Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa (VsŽP)
• Union
• Dôvera

It is up to postdoctoral fellow to choose one of the insurance companies listed above.

The most recent information regarding the offer of Union insurance company

List of general practitioners and specialists

National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak republic

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic has launched a call for applications for scholarships for the summer semester of the 2026/2027 academic year.

The call is intended for students, PhD students, university teachers, and researchers.

More detailed information

Foreign Police Department – New Location

The Department of Foreign Police has relocated to a new address:

Oddelenie cudzineckej polície Policajného zboru Bratislava
Račianska 62
812 72 Bratislava

GPS: N 48.175323°, E 17.128573°

Office hours are Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, except on Thursdays, when the office is open from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.