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The application and supporting documents may be submitted in English. C2-level Croatian is not required for international-project hires who do not teach in Croatian.
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University of Zagreb · Croatia
Open research positions in the ZAGGREGATE project
The University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering is recruiting three doctoral researchers and two postdoctoral researchers to join the Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering and the international ZAGGREGATE team.
3PhD positionsDeadline: 30 September 2026
2Postdoctoral positionsDeadline: 10 September 2026
ZagrebPrimary workplaceInternational research exchanges included
Start here
What international candidates need to know.
The Faculty administration has confirmed the points below. They are collected here so you can quickly determine what applies to you before reading the position details.
Foreign degree
Formal recognition is not required when you apply. If selected, you will need to complete the recognition procedure and obtain the relevant decision before signing the employment contract. If the diploma is not in English, include an English translation with your application.
Passport is sufficient
A copy of your passport is accepted as proof of citizenship. Uncertified document copies may be submitted; originals are requested before appointment.
No Croatian HZMO record?
If you have never been registered with the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, state this clearly in your application.
Unofficial English guide
The selection committee assesses formal compliance and may request supplementary documents where appropriate.
The official Croatian announcement is legally authoritative and prevails in case of any discrepancy.
PhD positions · University of Zagreb
Project Associate 3 / Researcher - PhD Candidate
Three researchers will develop doctoral work within complementary parts of the ZAGGREGATE programme.
Application deadline30 September2026
Required profile
- An MSc degree or equivalent in civil engineering or a related technical field
- Eligibility for enrolment in a doctoral programme
- Excellent spoken and written English
- Ability to work independently and within an international research team
- Willingness to learn new methods, software and research approaches
- Willingness to undertake a study and/or research exchange outside Croatia for up to one year, at EPFL and/or another international partner institution
- Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree
Preferred experience
- Earthquake engineering, structural dynamics or historic masonry buildings
- Structural numerical modelling and nonlinear analysis
- Structural-analysis, programming or data-processing tools
- Experimental, field or non-destructive testing
- Previous research, publications, awards or conference contributions
Main duties and responsibilities
- Enrol in a doctoral study programme and conduct doctoral research within the project
- Participate in laboratory, field and/or numerical research
- Collect, process and interpret data on historical masonry buildings, their damage and structural characteristics
- Develop and apply numerical models and/or analyse experimental and field data
- Contribute to assessment methods, damage indicators, fragility and vulnerability approaches and retrofit recommendations
- Collaborate with project partners and disseminate results through publications and conference presentations
Contract and opportunities
Fixed-term, full-time employment for the duration of the project, up to four years, with the opportunity to complete a doctoral dissertation within ZAGGREGATE. The position includes collaboration with EPFL and other partners, international research exchange, conferences, workshops, training and research visits.
Planned research profiles
The precise dissertation scope will be refined with the selected candidate and supervisory team.
Damage patterns and aggregate-scale models
- Material testing, NDT and operational modal analysis
- Damage-pattern database and empirical relationships
- OpenSees models of individual units and aggregates
- Open material-test data and calibrated aggregate models
Out-of-plane demand and capacity
- Floor spectra and aggregate-specific seismic demand
- DEM/NSCD modelling of interacting building rows
- Damage metrics, fragility functions and practical checks
- An open engineering tool for gables, parapets and façades
Eurocode 8 and shake-table benchmarking
- Half-scale shake-table test planning and execution
- Blind prediction and post-diction benchmark
- EC8 Part 3 evaluation and recommendations
- An open shake-table dataset with processing scripts
Postdoctoral positions · University of Zagreb
Project Associate 2 / Experienced Researcher - Postdoctoral Researcher
Two experienced researchers will lead advanced project activities and support coordination, publication and doctoral research.
Application deadline10 September2026
Required profile
- A completed doctoral degree in civil engineering or a related technical field
- Relevant experience in earthquake or structural engineering, masonry, numerical modelling, experiments and/or risk assessment
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research
- Experience writing and publishing scientific papers
- Excellent spoken and written English
- Ability to work independently and within an international research team
- Willingness to learn and apply new methods, software tools and research approaches
- Willingness to undertake a research stay outside Croatia for up to one year, at EPFL and/or another international partner institution
Expected contribution
- Independent research within the project’s thematic area
- Laboratory, field and/or numerical research
- Advanced masonry models and interpretation of experimental or field data
- Assessment methods, damage indicators, vulnerability and retrofit recommendations
- Coordination of research activities and support for doctoral researchers
- Scientific publications and conference dissemination
Contract and opportunities
Fixed-term, full-time employment for up to three years, with the possibility of extension until the end of the project. The position offers an international and interdisciplinary research environment, collaboration with EPFL and other partners, research exchange, conferences, workshops and training, and opportunities to mentor doctoral candidates and students.
Planned research profiles
Applicants may indicate which profile best matches their expertise and interests.
In-situ testing and model calibration
- NDT and operational modal analysis campaigns
- Inter-building connection stiffness identification
- Calibrated numerical models of individual units and aggregates
- A FAIR, web-based repository for in-situ and laboratory data
Vulnerability, fragility and seismic risk
- Aggregate-specific vulnerability methodology
- Fragility curves by position and configuration
- Risk maps for unretrofitted and retrofitted aggregates
- Risk-reduction indicators for retrofit strategies
Application instructions
Prepare one complete PDF.
Follow the three-step process, then use the document checklist before submitting.
1Choose the position
2Prepare one signed PDF
3Email the Faculty Registry
Applying with a degree obtained outside Croatia?
You do not need to complete the formal recognition procedure before applying. If selected, you will need to complete the procedure and obtain the relevant recognition decision before signing the employment contract. Your diploma must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
- Signed applicationA hand-signed application for the specific position.
- Curriculum vitaeInclude relevant education, employment, research and technical experience.
- Motivation letterExplain your fit with ZAGGREGATE and the research profile that interests you.
- Degree documentsPhD applicants: proof of an MSc degree or equivalent, plus transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies. Postdoctoral applicants: proof of a completed PhD degree. If a diploma is not in English, include an English translation. Formal recognition is not required at the application stage; a selected candidate must obtain the relevant recognition decision before signing the employment contract.
- Proof of citizenshipA copy of your passport is sufficient.
- Employment-insurance recordInclude the electronic HZMO record if applicable. If you have never been registered with HZMO, state this clearly in your application; the selection committee may request additional evidence if needed.
- Evidence of qualificationsPhD applicants may include publications, projects or other relevant activities. Postdoctoral applicants should include a list of scientific and professional publications, a description of previous research, project and/or teaching experience, and a list of projects or other relevant activities, where applicable.
- Combine everything into one PDFSubmit the most complete, timely and signed application possible. The selection committee assesses formal compliance and may request supplementary documentation where appropriate.
Submit your application
Send one PDF to the Faculty Registry.
Email the application to pisarnica@grad.unizg.hr and use the following subject line:
SubjectZAGGREGATE application – [position] – [full name]
Replace the bracketed text with the exact position and your full name.
Official Croatian call ↗
Contact person for position-related questionsMaja Baničekmaja.banicek@grad.unizg.hr