Vladislav Loktev: about

Ahoj, I'm Vlad!

Since October 2026 I have been a postdoctoral researcher at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, working on spectral and timing modelling of X-ray binaries and their connection to relativistic plasma physics as a member of Working Group 4 of the EXPAND COST Action. More personal history below.

Broadly, I work on black hole and neutron star X-ray binaries, and I try to bridge what we observe with what our models predict: radiative transfer and Comptonization in hot atmospheres, numerical simulations of magnetized plasma turbulence, and ray-tracing of polarized X-rays. More about my scientific projects, papers, slides and career is on the research page.

In my free time I like to relax in a sauna by a lake about once a week. Recently I took up bouldering (I currently climb 6a confidently). Besides astrophysics I have some recreational interests in maths, as you may notice in a not-so-secret corner of this site. I also enjoy playing the piano, the guitar/ukulele, and other random instruments, although I am progressively losing those skills.