In 2026, we will mark the 150th anniversary of Jeronimas Ralys (1876–1921), a doctor, translator, and prose writer. Dr Kazimieras Černis, a researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy at the Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of Physics, named an asteroid discovered together with Dr Justas Zdanavičius at the VU Molėtai Astronomical Observatory after him.
On December 17, the Faculty of Physics held a pre-Christmas celebration to mark its 60th anniversary. The evening began with a shared expression of gratitude – more than sixty members of the Vilnius University (VU) community, including colleagues, alumni, and students, actively contributed to the organisation of the anniversary events. Together, they revived stories from recent memory and created new ones.
On December 18, Vilnius University hosted a ceremonial festive evening - “Farewell to 2025.” During the event, distinguished members of the VU academic community were awarded, including representatives of the Faculty of Physics. Guests of the evening were welcomed by the Rector of Vilnius University, Prof. Dr Rimvydas Petrauskas, Chair of the Senate Prof. Dr Eglė Lastauskienė, and Chair of the Council Dr Marius Jurgilas.
This year, the first Mantvydas Juozapavičius Named Scholarships were awarded to members of the Vilnius University (VU) community. A total prize fund of €7,500 was shared by two talented VU researchers and one student: Dr Mindaugas Šarpis, Dr Antanas Terleckas, and Ūla Marija Lauciūtė.
On December 17–19, the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University hosted Dr Stephan Knecht, a partnership associate professor from the German startup "NVision Imaging Technologies GmbH".
This online courses are designed to help participants lay the foundation of a language, helping them every step of the way. The sessions consist of two-hour interactive online lessons once a week with an experienced tutor.
On 15 December, Jakov Braver successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "Topological Phenomena In Driven Quantum Gases". Supervisor - Prof. Dr Egidijus Anisimovas.
On 12 December, Vytautas Bubilaitis successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “Spectral Characteristic of Molecular Aggregates at Various Intensities of Optical Fields“. Supervisor - Prof. Dr Darius Abramavičius.
The Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) is launching its annual call for student summer research internships and announces the first stage of the process. Research and higher education institutions, together with internship supervisors, are invited to propose internship topics for prospective interns. Topics selected by RCL from various fields will then be available for students wishing to undertake a research internship in the summer of 2026. Proposals for topics should be submitted by January 9, 2026, at 15:00..
“Astronomers and cosmologists are fortunate to work in a field that inspires great fascination. People want to learn about the universe – it’s their universe,” says Prof. Vicent J. Martínez, a leading Spanish astronomer and cosmologist known for his research on galaxy clustering and the large-scale structure of the universe.
Prof. V. J. Martínez is also a gifted science communicator, recognised for making complex cosmic ideas accessible to the public – a mission he continues during his first visit to Lithuania and to Vilnius University (VU).
Although astronomers have long been able to observe other galaxies, the structure of our own – the Milky Way – remains not entirely clear. This is largely because we live within the Galaxy itself, making it particularly difficult to observe its central regions, which are obscured by dense clouds of dust.
On 1 December, an event of the Doctoral Integration Day took place in the spaces of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre (VU LSC). Several dozen VU doctoral students from various fields of science participated in it, most of them were first-year students. The event was organised in English, also including the international VU doctoral community.
On 5 December, Jonas Banys successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "Investigation of Optical Parametric Light Sources Pumped by the Subnanosecond Microlaser Pulses". Supervisor - Assoc. Prof. Dr Vygandas Jarutis.
These advances bring microlaser‑based parametric sources closer to commercial use, broaden their applications, and provide powerful tools for researchers across various disciplines. It also highlights Lithuania’s growing role as a regional leader in cutting‑edge laser technologies.
Vilnius University (VU) scientists are working on a project that may advance cancer diagnostics. In order to develop highly sensitive biosensors, one of the most effective methods in material science is applied – Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering, SERS. The project is led by Professor Valdas Šablinskas from the Institute of Chemical Physics at VU Faculty of Physics.
The call to finance proof-of-concept activities of the R&D solutions created at Vilnius University aims to facilitate the commercialisation of R&D solutions developed at the University. When participating in this call, the university community members who have developed an R&D solution with possible commercial potential but still lack technological maturity for successful commercialisation can increase the value of the R&D solution.
The emerging field of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) lies at the intersection of quantum computing and advanced data analysis, offering the potential to fundamentally transform the way complex computational problems are addressed. During the presentation, attendees will be introduced to the core principles of quantum computing, including qubits and the structure of quantum circuits.
Vilnius University (VU) launches a call “My First Research Team” for young researchers to apply for group leader positions. The programme offers an opportunity for 26 young scientists to establish their first independent research group and implement an original research project. The expected start date of project activities is no later than 1 September 2026.
The results of the 2024 call for proposals for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships under the EU's Framework Programme Horizon Europe were especially favourable to Vilnius University (VU), with funding allocated to 12 out of 19 proposals submitted. Ten more proposals that received high evaluations from international experts have been added to the two postdoctoral fellowship projects selected to be funded during the main EC competition, namely the Dr Lukas Waltenberger (Faculty of Medicine, MF) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship and Dr Owen Gohori (Kaunas Faculty, KnF) ERA Fellowships projects. The funding of the projects was made possible by the new mechanism for reallocating EU funds, which allows some of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funds to be channelled to Horizon Europe.
On December 3, the Community Welfare Department of Vilnius University (VU) invites the community to a conference "Beyond the Wall of Silence: The Challenges of Neurodiversity," dedicated to openly discussing what is still too often overlooked in society—different ways of thinking, perceiving, and communicating, and the challenges and opportunities associated with them. The conference will be opened by Prof. Vilmantė Pakalniškienė, Vice-Rector for Organizational Development and Community Affairs at Vilnius University.
Dr Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė, a scientist from the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University (VU), has been awarded the Baltic Women in Science fellowship, within a program co-organised by the Baltic National Academies of Sciences and National Commissions for UNESCO. A researcher has been awarded a 2025 fellowship in the category of Doctor of Sciences in Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Technology. The €7,000 fellowship recognises her scientific achievements and supports further research.
The joint award ceremony for the Baltic laureates will take place on Thursday, 27 November at 13:00 at the Latvian Academy of Sciences in Riga.
