Doctoral research serves as the primary engine for technological advancement in modern economies. On April 25, 2026, the University of Zagreb celebrated a major academic milestone during its official promotion ceremony. Rector Prof. Stjepan Lakušić, PhD, promoted 371 new doctors of science and doctors of arts, prominently featuring 25 new PhD graduates from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). This cohort represents a significant injection of high-level expertise into the domestic and international technology sectors. Examining the specific doctoral dissertations produced by these FER graduates provides valuable insights into the current trajectory of technology innovation and doctoral research in Croatia.
The Strategic Role of Doctoral Research in Croatia’s Tech Ecosystem
Producing highly specialized technical experts is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the global technology landscape. At FER, approximately 40 young researchers successfully defend their doctoral dissertations each year. What makes this statistic particularly impactful for the Croatian economy is the retention rate: up to 85 percent of these PhD graduates remain in Croatia after completing their studies.
Retaining local talent directly addresses the brain drain challenge that affects many smaller European nations. By choosing to stay, these PhD graduates contribute directly to the development of domestic industry, establish advanced research capabilities within local companies, and help transition theoretical academic concepts into commercial applications. The focus of their work spans critical modern challenges, ensuring that Croatian industries have access to homegrown experts in fields that are actively reshaping global markets.
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Key Technological Domains Explored by the 2026 PhD Graduates
Analyzing the dissertations of the 2026 promotion class reveals distinct concentrations in artificial intelligence, sustainable energy systems, and advanced robotics. These are not isolated academic exercises; they represent targeted responses to pressing global and regional industry needs. The doctoral research conducted at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing clearly aligns with European and global strategic technology priorities.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications
A substantial portion of the 2026 PhD graduates focused their doctoral research on refining artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. Rather than merely applying existing algorithms, these researchers tackled fundamental limitations in how AI processes and understands data.
For example, Josip Jukić focused on improving the data and parameter efficiency of neural language models using representation analysis. As natural language processing (NLP) models grow increasingly complex and computationally expensive, finding ways to maintain performance while reducing resource consumption is a critical challenge for the tech industry. Similarly, David Dukić investigated methods for improving transfer learning for sequence labeling tasks by adapting pre-trained neural language models, which directly impacts how AI systems are fine-tuned for specific, niche applications without requiring massive new datasets.
Computer vision and action recognition also featured prominently. Zorana Doždor developed deep architectures for action recognition in unsegmented sequences of keypoints based on attention mechanisms. This research has direct implications for autonomous systems, security, and human-computer interaction. Antonella Barišić Kulaš addressed the persistent challenge of data scarcity in aerial object detection through synthetic data and unsupervised domain adaptation, providing a pathway to train robust computer vision models even when real-world training data is limited or restricted.
Sustainable Energy and Smart Grid Management
As the global energy transition accelerates, the stability and resilience of power grids have become paramount concerns. The PhD graduates from FER presented several solutions aimed at modernizing energy infrastructure. Bojana Barać researched enhancing power system resilience through the fast frequency response of active electric power distribution systems. This work is vital for integrating volatile renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, without compromising grid stability.
Grid modernization also requires intelligent control architectures. Hrvoje Keserica developed application and communication subsystems specifically for aggregator-based control architectures in Smart Grids, facilitating better communication between distributed energy resources. Meanwhile, Marija Miletić tackled the scheduling complexities of active customers and battery energy storage, specifically considering the activation of frequency containment reserves. On the hardware side, Zvonimir Jurković and Karlo Petrović concentrated on power transformers—Jurković on fast calculation of inductances and 3D magnetic field losses, and Petrović on vibroacoustic characterization and noise source localization. These hardware-level optimizations are crucial for extending the lifespan and efficiency of existing grid infrastructure.
Advanced Control Systems and Robotics
Robotics research at FER continues to push the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve in complex environments. Filip Zorić explored semi-autonomous aerial manipulation for service and maintenance tasks, combining the mobility of drones with the physical interaction capabilities required for industrial inspections and repairs. Vicko Prkačin addressed the nonlinear control and state estimation of tethered unmanned aerial vehicles, solving stability issues inherent in tethered drone systems used for persistent surveillance or heavy-lift operations.
Control systems extended beyond robotics into critical infrastructure and logistics. Blaž Korotaj developed predictive control and coordination systems for drinking water treatment plants and distribution networks, optimizing resource usage and ensuring water quality. Nikica Perić contributed to logistical efficiency through the modular coordination of predictive vehicle routing and bin packing, a complex optimization problem with massive implications for supply chain management and reducing transportation emissions.
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Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Industry Needs
A persistent challenge in technology innovation is the gap between academic research and commercial application. The University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing actively works to close this gap. A particular value of the doctoral projects completed at FER lies in their focus on transferring new knowledge and technologies directly into the business world.
When a PhD graduate researches topics like agent-modeled experts implemented with large language models for decision-making (as Kristijan Poje did), or acoustic localization of underwater sensors using cooperative unmanned marine vessels (researched by Ivan Lončar), they are creating immediately applicable solutions. Industries ranging from maritime logistics to enterprise decision support systems can integrate these findings to improve operational efficiency. The high retention rate of these graduates in Croatia means that this transfer of knowledge happens locally, bolstering the competitiveness of Croatian tech companies on the global stage.
What Aspiring Researchers Can Learn from FER’s Doctoral Program
For engineers and students considering a doctoral path, the output of FER’s 2026 promotion class offers several actionable insights:
- Focus on Interdisciplinary Problems: The most compelling research occurs at the intersection of disciplines. Matej Gjurković’s computational framework for interpretable text-based personality assessment from social media combines computer science, linguistics, and psychology. Aspiring researchers should look for problems that require synthesizing knowledge across multiple fields.
- Address Efficiency and Scalability: Research that makes existing systems more efficient is highly valuable. Jakov Benjak’s work on low-latency video coding in first-person view drone piloting systems addresses the strict bandwidth and processing constraints of real-world applications.
- Prepare for Industry Collaboration: Successful doctoral candidates often engage with industry problems early in their research. Understanding how theoretical models like Goran Rajić’s transformation of multilevel modeling languages into institution-based formalism apply to software engineering practices makes a candidate much more attractive to future employers.
Submit your application today if you are ready to tackle complex technological challenges through advanced research.
Career Prospects for PhD Graduates in Electrical Engineering and Computing
Earning a doctorate from a recognized institution like the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing opens diverse career pathways. Graduates are not limited to traditional academic roles as professors or postdoctoral researchers, although those remain viable and respected options.
In the private sector, PhD graduates are increasingly sought after for senior R&D roles, chief technology officer positions, and specialized consulting. The deep, foundational understanding gained during doctoral research allows these professionals to lead complex engineering projects, evaluate emerging technologies critically, and drive long-term technology innovation strategies within corporations. With the ongoing demand for expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy, graduates holding a PhD in these subfields possess a distinct competitive advantage over candidates with only bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
Conclusion
The promotion of 25 new PhD graduates from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing marks a concrete advancement in Croatia’s technological capabilities. Their doctoral research addresses immediate, high-stakes problems in machine learning, power systems, and autonomous robotics. By maintaining an impressive 85% retention rate, FER ensures that the intellectual capital generated within its laboratories directly benefits the Croatian economy and local industries. As global technological challenges grow more complex, the structured, rigorous approach to problem-solving demonstrated by these PhD graduates will remain a critical asset for both academia and the private sector.
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