Zorica Ristić

University of Belgrade
Faculty of Physics
Institute of Physics
Pregrevica, 17
Belgrade, Serbia
H +381 64 2847879
B zorka@ipb.ac.rs
st.zora@hotmail.com
patka.zorka@gmail.com

Anne E. B. Nielsen 27th of March , 2019

Leader of the Quantum Many-Body Systems group
Room: 1 A 21
Phone: 871-1121
Email:nielsen[at]pks.mpg(dot)de
Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex
Systems
Dresden, Germany

Dear Mrs. Nielsen,

I would hereby like to express my interest in a PhD position on a project Numerical investigations
of anyons in lattice systems, within the Quantum Many-Body Systems group at Max Planck
Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden.

First of all I would like to present my educational background and work experience. I was born in
Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina where I completed both Elementary and High School
education. After a short academical break I started studies at University of Belgrade, Faculty of
Physics, group of study: Theoretical and Experimental Physics. I graduated in September, 2017
(GPA: 9.03 of 10.0). In the same group of study I completed Master studies in September, 2018
(GPA: 10.0 of 10.0). In November 2019, I have started PhD studies, group of study: Condensed
Matter Physics and Statistical Physics.
During my undergraduate years I cherished every opportunity to acquire both theoretical knowledge
as well as practical skills through laboratory coursework. I have undergone exhaustive training in
many fields of physics and have equipped myself with a solid base of professional knowledge.
Amongst other I accentuate subjects like Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory, Quantum
Statistical Physics, Mathematical Physics, Symmetries in Physics, Theory of Elementary Particles
and Theory of Magnetism (on a Quantum level) which I am about to finish as a part of my
postgraduate (1st year PhD) curriculum, which I started here in Belgrade at the Institute of
Physics, but would be glad to continue/start over under your supervision.
Although I have studied every subject with utmost attention, I have always strived to put special
emphasis on the ones I have found most interesting, like Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical
Physics, Solid State Physics and QFT. My interest was enhanced and its subject range broaden
during Master studies, when my research swang around qubits. I have learned about decoherence of
systems consisting of qubits and use of topology to create degenerated state space and use of that
degeneracy to protect information stored in qubits from avoidable losses when performing Quantum
Computation. I have also learned about anyons and braid operators as a possible manner to
implement qubits and gates needed for mentioned performance of QC. I specially looked into
braiding of zero energy Majorana fermions, which obey Ising anyons braiding rules. This was the
period when a glorious revelation of Physics of Information encoding, Quantum Computation and
of use of Topological Phases in latter introduced me to anyons and has made me resolutely
convinced that the most intricate period of my quest on scientific truths has only just begun and
should be following this path.

I believe I am hard working individual, responsible and focused on meet deadlines. I tend to perform
as well as I can on exams and other university activities, but though I enjoy perfectionism, I have
comprehended it does not always give the best taste to things. I have well developed leadership
skills, as I don’t hesitate to take over leading role in assigned team tasks as well as in
extracurricular activities I am involved in.My presentation skills are quite decent, mastered through
numerous seminars held during undergraduate studies.

As Germany is amongst the most scientifically advanced countries in Europe, I believe that the
opportunity to aquire knowledge and experience at institution such as Max Plank Institute and
TUD would immensly benefit and complement my present ones. In addition, this is undoubtedly a
unique chance to meet new culture, and to expand my contact network by meeting colleagues from
Germany and Europe. It is why I advocate that it is the correct time to take part in a program like
this one for it is excellent opportunity for efficient and successful improvement of my professional
skills. Our colaboration would broaden my horizons and mark my future professional and personal
development. Therefore I am looking forward to possibility to undertake this challenge.

I would like to thank you for dedicating time to consider my application and I look forward to
hearing from you. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am looking forward to hearing from you,

Zorica Ristić