New PhD Positions Opened

Tomáš Pitner
We are currently opening PhD positions with starting from September 2025:

Human Capital Development in Selected Critical Sectors

Official Title: Cross-Regional Strategies for Human Capital Development in Semiconductor, Cybersecurity, and High-Tech Sectors: The Role of Talent Mobility and Institutional Collaboration between Europe and East Asia

Tomáš Pitner
We are currently opening a PhD position with starting from September 2025. This dissertation investigates how Europe—particularly the Czech Republic—and East Asian countries can collaboratively address the persistent shortage of skilled professionals in semiconductor, cybersecurity, and broader high-tech industries. It examines both bilateral and multilateral initiatives aimed at fostering workforce development, with a particular focus on academic and institutional instruments such as inter-university partnerships, joint research programs, and talent mobility frameworks. While the analysis includes case studies like the Czech–Taiwan cooperation, it will also consider broader East Asian engagement, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. The goal is to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of current institutional mechanisms—particularly university mobility programs and intergovernmental collaborations—between Europe and East Asia in building a resilient, high-quality talent base for the high-tech sectors such as semiconductor, cybersecurity, or quantum technology.

Supply Chain Resilience in Selected Critical Sectors

Official Title: Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience in Software, Cybersecurity, and Semiconductor Industries: Risk Diversification, Strategic Autonomy, and the European Perspective

Tomáš Pitner
We are currently opening a PhD position with starting from September 2025. The objective of this dissertation is to investigate how the software industry, cybersecurity technologies, and the semiconductor sector can contribute to strengthening the resilience of global supply chains against disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, or pandemics. The research will explore best practices for balancing risk diversification with the logistical and cybersecurity requirements of globally distributed supply networks. It will also assess the costs, benefits, and feasibility of increasing strategic autonomy and self-sufficiency in the semiconductor and cybersecurity supply chains within Europe.
Main Research Questions:
  • In what ways can software, cybersecurity, and semiconductor technologies enhance the robustness of supply chains against external shocks?
  • What are the best practices for managing risks while maintaining operational efficiency and security in global supply ecosystems?
  • What are the economic, technological, and strategic implications of pursuing greater self-reliance in Europe's semiconductor and cybersecurity infrastructures?

Transparency, Traceability, and Sustainability in Selected Critical Sectors

Official Title: Transparency, Traceability, and Sustainability in Semiconductor and Cybersecurity Supply Chains: Interoperability, Governance, and Formal Methods

Tomáš Pitner
We are currently opening a PhD position with starting from September 2025. This dissertation aims to explore the technological, regulatory, and strategic enablers of end-to-end transparency and traceability in semiconductor and cybersecurity supply chains. It will investigate how emerging technologies -— such as blockchain, IoT, and artificial intelligence -— can support sustainable practices and data integrity, especially in the context of Europe-Asia collaboration. The research will further examine the compatibility of traceability standards, privacy regulations, and data-sharing protocols between Europe and Far East Asia and assess how both regions can jointly mitigate the environmental impacts of these critical high-tech industries. The project will also assess whether ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks present risks or opportunities for European industries in software, AI, and semiconductors.