Following the completion of his Ph.D. in bulk ceramic materials in 2012, Vilko Mandić transitioned his research focus to functional nanomaterials in more intricate configurations. Since 2022, he has held the position of associate professor and Group leader at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology. The collaborative endeavours of the Group are focused on the developing novel nanostructured systems intended for applications in the realms of nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage, sensing and environmental nanomaterials, and nanomaterials for space technologies. The research and development endeavours are founded on sophisticated chemical and physical deposition techniques, alongside specialized tools for structural, morphological, electrical, and spectroscopic characterization of thin films and other advanced materials.

He has authored over 100 original research papers, the majority of which are indexed in Q1 journals. Within the scope of various active EU and national projects, he led ~10 associates, he has overseen approximately ~30 (inter)national projects, with a cumulative value exceeding 2 million Euros. He has contributed to several patents and innovations, as well as conducted more than 75 professional studies and expertise evaluations. Notably, he has been honoured with a prestigious national science award. He is president of the Croatian Ceramic Society and vice-president of the International Federation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry.

https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/searchByContext/2/27267

National science award – 2022 – by Croatian Parliament for advancing the diffraction of nanomaterials

Plotnik science award – 2016 – by FKIT

Nation science award – 2022 – by Croatian Parliament for advancing the diffraction of nanomaterials

Established: Laboratory for thin films at FKIT (equipped in worth of ~2 mil Eur)

Leader of Infrastructure projects:

• Conference Organization grants 3 (ECERS, NATO)
• Society Grants 2 (ECERS, EMS)
• Equipment maintenance projects (Ministry)
• Other projects: Cesar, Virtulab

Participation at about 200 conferences,

• ~10 plenary/keynote lectures and
• ~30 invited lectures.

Invited professor at:

• University of Cincinnati, USA, 2019;
• Southwest University, China, 2020;
• Polytechnic Univ. Hauts de France, 2019,
• Huangzhou University, China, 2023 – total 3 months.

Editor and section/topic/guest editor in several Journals: Elsevier, Springer, Frontiers, MDPI

• Elsevier – Hybrid advances – Coordinating Editor 2025 –
• Elsevier – Appl.Surf.Sci.Adv., 2022-23, guest ed.;
• Elsevier – Hyb.Adv., SI, 2022-23, guest ed.;
• Elsevier – Hyb.Adv., 2022-, ed., advisory board member;
• Frontiers – Front.Ceram., 2022-, topic ed. Structure&microstructure;
• MDPI – Topics (5 Journals) 2022-23, topic ed.;
• MDPI – Nanomaterials, SI, 2019-22, guest ed.;
• J.Chem.Eng.Res.Updates, 2017-19, editorial member)

Reviewer of more than 100 papers from more than 40 international journals.

PANEL member (HRZZ chemistry/chemical engineering 2023.

Reviewer/evaluator of HORIZON and national projects (NKFI-EPR, SASPRO, IMPULZ, ARIS, HRZZ)

Professional projects, elaborations, expertise, studies – more than 100.

Chair / Sci.-org. committee – >10 international conferences (ACDC,EMRS,CEEC-TAC,APMAS… )

• Main organiser 1st ACDC 2023 Dubrovnik
• Main organiser 2nd ACDC 2025 Šibenik
• Symposium organiser EMRS fall

Professional Society engagement:

• President of the CroCerS (Croatian Ceramic Society)
• Vice-President of the ICTAC (International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry)
• COST StableNextSol – national representative
• COST FIT4NANO – national representative
• COST NECTAR – national representative
• COST AERoGELS– national representative
• Member in more than 10 other professional societies

Mentor of 1 finished PhD student (Matea Raić 2023).

Mentor of 4 PhD in progress.

Mentor of more than 30 finished Batchelor and Master thesis.

Employed 10 (post)doctoral students. Co-authored many publications with students.

UIP-2019-04-2367 Principal Investigator (30 Q1 Publications, ~50 presentations, ~10 plenary/keynote/invited lectures, ~ 10 mobility missions, ~10 project applications, Patent, National Science Award, 2 PhD students) 270 k€

PZS-2019-02-1555 Principal Investigator (28 Q1 Publications, ~50 presentations, ~10 plenary/keynote/invited lectures, ~ 10 mobility missions, ~10 project applications, Patent, National Science Award, 2 PhD students) 300 k€

National project IRI KK.01.2.1.02.0316, MGO, ERDF, 2025-26, 65 k€, coordinator from FKIT

National project IRI KK.01.2.1.02.0316, MGO, ERDF, 2020-23, 1,5 mil €, coordinator from FKIT

Bilateral project SI-HR, MZO-ARS, 2020-22, 10 k€, leader

Bilateral project FR-HR, MZO-Cogito, 2020-22, 10 k€, leader

Bilateral project AU-HR, MZO-OeAD, 2020-22, 20 k€, leader

Bilateral project HR-CN, MZO, 2020-23, 40 k€, leader

2017 – 2022 Assistant professor FKIT

2016 – 2017 Postdoctoral Researcher engineer, LMCPA, UVHC, France

2015 – 2016 Postdoctoral Research Advisor ZKM, RBI, Croatia

2012 – 2015 Postdoctoral researcher FKIT

2008 – 2012 PhD student FKIT