The Czech Science Foundation has announced the results of the Junior Star 2026 competition, in which 18 outstanding early-career scientists from all areas of basic research were successful. Among the winners is RNDr. Michal Vališka, Ph.D., from our department, who received a five-year grant for the project "STiUS: Symmetry and Topology in Ultraclean Superconductors."
The project focuses on the identification and characterization of intrinsic topological superconductors – unconventional materials that, due to symmetry breaking, can host so-called Majorana fermions with potential applications in quantum computers. The team will investigate these unique states of matter on exceptionally pure single crystals using advanced experimental methods under extreme conditions of pressure and magnetic field.
Obtaining this highly competitive grant represents a significant recognition of the quality of our department's research and will enable further development of excellence in the field of quantum materials and unconventional superconductivity.
