Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.9 ||

Guest: Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh (Part 2/2)

In this second part of our conversation, Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry at IISER Pune, takes us through his postdoctoral journey, transition to a faculty role, and his current research in sustainable materials and catalysis.

In Part 1, we explored his early years — how his love for physics began, the influence of mentors and family, and the lessons learned from setbacks and self-discovery. [Check it out here:h ttps://youtu.be/kXNOw7fai4U]

In this episode, we turn to the next chapter: life after PhD, the realities of postdoctoral research abroad, and what it truly takes to build an academic career in India.

🎙️Prof. Ghosh shares pro tips for young scientists and postdocs — including:

✨How to search and apply for faculty positions (especially in India)

✨The documents and proposals required for applications

✨Funding opportunities for new faculty members

✨How to prepare for interviews and take on early-career responsibilities with confidence

We also discuss his current research interests, which focus on reducing greenhouse gases through catalysis and applying AI tools to perform research in thermoelectric materials — bridging fundamental physics with real-world sustainability.

Prof. Ghosh’s humility and authenticity shine throughout — he explains his journey with the same groundedness that defines his approach to science and mentoring.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the DPT Podcast for more inspiring conversations with brilliant minds in academia and beyond. You can find all the episodes of DPT podcast below

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK152Z45fAKnLusMqOyY5Q0zf2Fz9wiXk

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dpt-podcast/id1842946744

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MJH3m3TJeEAALoTdc4T5e

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/972eaf17-675f-4e38-af37-ccf1f40d940b

Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/decoding-phase-transitions-the-6239581

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry at IISER Pune, India, where he joined in 2010. He completed his PhD at JNCASR, Bangalore, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at ICTP, Trieste, Italy. He holds an M.Sc. in Physics from BHU, Banaras and a B.Sc. from Calcutta University.

Homepage: https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/physics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/prasenjit-ghosh/267

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mCp5bRoAAAAJ&hl=en

His Research Areas: physics and chemistry of materials (from zero dimensional clusters/molecules to three dimensional bulk) and how they interact with their environment, heterogeneous catalysis, photo- and electro-catalysis, thermoelectrics and photovoltaics.

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

BHU, Banaras: https://www.bhu.ac.in/Site/Home/1_2_16_Main-Site

JNCASR, Bangalore: https://www.jncasr.ac.in

ICTP, Trieste, Italy: https://www.ictp.it

Shobhana Narasimhan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shobhana_Narasimhan

Umesh Waghmare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umesh_Waghmare

Ralph Gebauer, ICTP: https://www.ictp.it/member/ralph-gebauer#biography

Sandro Scandolo, ICTP: https://www.ictp.it/member/sandro-scandolo#biography

Stefano de Gironcoli, SISSA: https://cm.sissa.it/people/stefano-de-gironcoli

Stefano Fabris, SISSA: https://cm.sissa.it/people/stefano-fabris

O.N. Srivastava, BHU: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onkar_Nath_Srivastava

ANRF Research Fund : https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/About?HomePage=New

BRNS Research Fund: https://brns.res.in/brns_rp.php

DAE: https://dae.gov.in

DST: https://dst.gov.in

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

📌 **Chapters are below, but I recommend watching/listening the full journey for the complete context.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

02:03 – Postdoc or Plan B?

03:13 – Challenges after arriving in Trieste

06:22 – Shaping his research direction during postdoc

08:02 – Research in catalysis and excited states

24:40 – Key lessons learned from postdoctoral years abroad

27:33 – Deciding to return to India

29:13 – Tips for those seeking faculty positions in India

47:03 – What to expect after joining as faculty

57:23 – His current research interests

01:02:53 – Fun trivia about him

01:08:28 – The turning point

01:11:55 – Final Thoughts

#DPTPodcast #AcademicCareers #PostdocLife #FacultyPositions #ResearchJourney #Sustainability #Catalysis #AIInScience #IISERPune

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.8 ||

Guest: Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh (Part 1/2)

In this episode of the DPT Podcast, we sit down with Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh, Associate Professor in the Departments of Physics at IISER Pune, India. His research group, the computational material science group, focuses on having a microscopic understanding of the physics and chemistry of materials (from zero dimensional clusters/molecules to three dimensional bulk) and how they interact with their environment, using first principles based computational methods.

Prof. Ghosh’s journey is one of curiosity, resilience, and humility — from a young student discovering his love for physics, to earning his PhD at JNCASR, Bangalore, India, and later working across continents from Cambridge (UK) to Trieste (Italy).

He also shares pro tips for students and early researchers on assessing their strengths, building confidence, and approaching academia with purpose and patience.

Prof. Ghosh’s humility stands out — he speaks of achievements casually, never taking full credit for the perseverance and insight that shaped his path.

🎙️We dive into his inspiring journey. Here's some highlights:

✨ Overcoming setbacks after leaving school

✨ How to get back on track after failure

✨ Why he chose to drop an MBA for a PhD

✨ What to expect in a PhD interview and how to prepare for it

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the DPT Podcast for more inspiring conversations with brilliant minds in academia and beyond. You can find all the episodes of DPT podcast below

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK152Z45fAKnLusMqOyY5Q0zf2Fz9wiXk

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dpt-podcast/id1842946744

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MJH3m3TJeEAALoTdc4T5e

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/972eaf17-675f-4e38-af37-ccf1f40d940b

Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/decoding-phase-transitions-the-6239581

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Prof. Prasenjit Ghosh is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry at IISER Pune, India, where he joined in 2010. He completed his PhD at JNCASR, Bangalore, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at ICTP, Trieste, Italy. He holds an M.Sc. in Physics from BHU, Banaras and a B.Sc. from Calcutta University.

Homepage: https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/research/department/physics/people/faculty/regular-faculty/prasenjit-ghosh/267

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mCp5bRoAAAAJ&hl=en

His Research Areas: physics and chemistry of materials (from zero dimensional clusters/molecules to three dimensional bulk) and how they interact with their environment, heterogeneous catalysis, photo- and electro-catalysis, thermoelectrics and photovoltaics.

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

Raj College, Burdwan: https://burdwanrajcollege.ac.in

Presidency College, Calcutta: https://presiuniv.ac.in/web/

Maharaj Manindra Chandra College: https://www.mmccollege.co.in

Rajabazar Science College: https://www.caluniv-ucsta.net

BHU, Banaras: https://www.bhu.ac.in/Site/Home/1_2_16_Main-Site

Rajabazar Science College: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/campuses/campus-2.html

JNCASR, Bangalore: https://www.jncasr.ac.in

CNR Rao, JNCASR: https://www.jncasr.ac.in/faculty/cnrrao

Theoretical Sciences Unit, JNCASR: https://www.jncasr.ac.in/research/research-units/theoretical-sciences-unit

Stefano de Gironcoli, SISSA: https://cm.sissa.it/people/stefano-de-gironcoli

Stephen Jenkins, Cambridge https://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/person/sjj24

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

📌 **Chapters are below, but I recommend watching/listening the full journey for the complete context.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 – What sparked his love for Physics

02:11 – Academic role models who inspired him

05:34 – Parents’ influence on his choices

08:11 – The “gap year” that shaped his path

12:42 – Why he left home for Calcutta one day

17:18 – When his father chose Physics over Economics for him

19:54 – Challenges after leaving school

28:22 – Practical tips for students rebuilding after setbacks

30:34 – Coming back on track: strategies to move forward

37:52 – Relief after success & how parents reacted

39:07 – Life at BHU: the Master’s experience in Banaras

44:27 – Why everyone should spend time in a hostel

48:18 – Why he pursued an MBA after his Master’s

50:35 – How to do a PhD in India (for science students)

55:42 – Dropping MBA for PhD – the turning point

01:00:50 – Preparing for PhD interviews: Pro Tips

01:09:07 – The JNCASR interview experience

01:14:50 – Inside his PhD journey at JNCASR, Bangalore

01:15:57 – His core PhD research questions

01:27:47 – Industry exposure during PhD

01:30:53 – Working with scientists across Cambridge & Trieste

01:40:26 – Final Thoughts

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.7 ||

Feat. Prof. Sandro Scandolo

In this episode of the Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT) Podcast, I sit down with Prof. Sandro Scandolo, physicist and Head of Research at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. Prof. Scandolo is not only an accomplished scientist with publications in Nature, Science, and other top journals, but also a leader who has successfully balanced cutting-edge research with major organizational responsibilities.

Prof. Scandolo was awarded the Fellowship of the American Physical Society, the J.C. Jamieson Award, and recognized as a “Male Champion for Women in Science” (2018) for his advocacy of diversity in scientific careers.

🎙️We dive into his inspiring journey. Here's some highlights:

✨Climbing the ladder from researcher to ICTP leadership roles

✨Transferable skills from research to management

✨How to foster diversity and open scientific environments

✨Hacks and mental models that helped him overcome challenges

✨AI’s role in shaping research and PhD journeys today

📌 Whether you’re an early-career researcher, a PhD student, or simply curious about how science and leadership intertwine, this conversation offers timeless lessons.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the DPT Podcast for more inspiring conversations with brilliant minds in academia and beyond. You can find all the episodes of DPT podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK152Z45fAKnLusMqOyY5Q0zf2Fz9wiXk

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Prof. Sandro Scandolo is a physicist and the Head of Research at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. He studied physics at the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, earned his PhD, and later carried out postdoctoral research in Trieste before being appointed at SISSA. He also spent time as a visiting scholar at Princeton University before returning to ICTP, where he has since held several leadership roles.

Homepage: https://www.ictp.it/member/sandro-scandolo#biography

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mJEVOdQAAAAJ&hl=en

His Research Areas: Computational condensed matter physics, particularly in the area of materials at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature.

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

ICTP, Trieste, Italy: https://www.ictp.it

Princeton University, USA : https://www.princeton.edu

Global Outreach ICTP: https://www.ictp.it/home/global-outreach

SISSA, Trieste, Italy: https://www.sissa.it

Scoula Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy: https://www.sns.it/it

Synchrotron facility, Elettra: https://www.elettra.eu

Mathematics Olympiad: https://www.imo-official.org

Carlo Rubbia, Nobel Laureate and Particle Physicist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Rubbia

Roberto Car: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Car

Michele Parinello: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Parrinello

Franco Bassani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Bassani

Car Parinello Method: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car–Parrinello_molecular_dynamics

Erio Tosatti: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erio_Tosatti

Stefano Baroni: https://cm.sissa.it/people/stefano-baroni

Quantum ESPRESSO project: https://www.quantum-espresso.org

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

**Chapters are below, but I recommend watching/listening the full journey for the complete

context.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction

03:11 – Leading and managing a research institute

06:37 – Transferable skills from research to management

09:16 – Fostering open environments at ICTP

12:13 – How Sandro became curious about physics

16:57 – Encouraging teachers in school

18:21 – School years in Italy & Scuola Normale

18:48 – First time living alone & why it wasn’t a challenge

23:26 – Experience at Scuola Normale

27:52 – Applying to Scuola Normale

30:19 – No plan B heading into a PhD

32:33 – PhD research work

41:39 – Overcoming challenges when stuck

48:17 – Postdoc in Trieste

57:05 – Princeton days

01:00:05 – Decision to come back

01:02:18 – ICTP journey to leadership

01:04:11 – Hacks to staying productive while leading

01:07:11 – Nature paper in 1 hour?

01:08:47 – How AI is reshaping research & PhD journeys

01:16:39 – ICTP’s promise for young researchers

01:23:41 – Fun trivia about Sandro

01:28:18 – Lessons from My Wife’s Scientific Journey

01:29:47 – Challenge that changed everything

01:32:34 – Final Thoughts

‼️ Correction: The pH scale is in the range of zero to 14, not minus 7 to plus 7 as mentioned in the conversation.

#DPTPodcast #SandroScandolo #ICTP #ScienceLeadership #PhDJourney #AcademicLife #PhysicsPodcast #ScientificCareers #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfScience #ResilienceInScience #DiversityInSTEM #InspiringScientists #CareerInAcademia

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.6 ||

Feat. Dr. Iverina Ivanova (Part 2/2)

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Iverina Ivanova, we dive deeper into her academic and professional journey across Europe. From cultural shocks in Belgium to combining linguistics with technology during her Master’s in Marburg, Germany and ultimately making the bold decision to leave her job as a junior analyst to pursue a PhD in Frankfurt am Main — this episode is a story of courage, curiosity, and transformation.

Dr. Iverina Ivanova is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer in Linguistics at Goethe University Frankfurt, where she also completed her PhD in Linguistics (dissertation title: "Text-type Constraints on the Choice of Linguistic Mechanisms in Research Articles: A Corpus-based Approach").

Her academic journey began at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Philology. She then pursued a Master’s in Linguistics and Web Technologies at the Philipp University of Marburg, Germany, combining her passion for language with the emerging world of digital technologies.

Today, Dr. Ivanova's research and teaching explore the intersection of language, technology, and learning. Her story reflects resilience, curiosity, and the courage to turn challenges into opportunities — qualities that continue to shape both her academic and personal journey.

If you haven’t already watched Part 1, where Dr. Ivanova talks about her early journey through language, resilience, and turning challenges into stepping stones — be sure to check it out here: [https://youtu.be/-QqnRUvCFSg].

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to this channel for more inspiring stories from brilliant minds in academia and beyond!

⏰ Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Introduction

01:38 – Decisions for doing masters in Germany

06:20 – Considering other countries for masters

07:30 – Cultural shock in Ghent, Belgium

09:57 – Masters in Marburg: combining tech with linguistics

14:55 – Was learning German necessary to study in Germany?

16:27 – Challenges in Marburg

17:53 – Advantage of sharing accommodations in the early days in a new country

21:30 – Things to do in Germany after moving from other countries

22:00 – After masters: job experience in Bulgaria

25:23 – Challenges teaching small kids

26:47 – Working as a junior analyst

32:47 – Back to academia: Academic assistant

39:15 – Moving to Frankfurt

44:45 – Decision to do a PhD

46:16 – PhD work: Research question

01:03:48 – ChatGPT and LLMs and more - in a nutshell

01:07:17 – GPT is more than predicting next words

01:13:07 – Current research interest

01:15:08 – Role of linguists in current technological landscape / Can linguists help to minimise deep fake?

01:21:00 – Satisfactory and Challenging aspects of teaching in higher education

01:25:30 – Fun trivia about her

01:31:38 – Learnings from PhD journey

01:44:06 – Final thoughts

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgeria: https://www.uni-sofia.bg/eng

Philipps' University of Marburg, Germany: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying

Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/study

WordNet: https://wordnet.princeton.edu

Linguist list: https://linguistlist.org link for linguists to search job worldwide

Standford core NLP: https://stanfordnlp.github.io/CoreNLP/

spaCy: https://spacy.io

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

#DPTPodcast #IverinaIvanova #PhDJourney #Linguistics #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #LargeLanguageModels #HigherEducation #AcademicLife #CareerInAcademia #LanguageAndTechnology #Deepfake #TeachingInHigherEducation #Resilience #InspiringStories

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.5 ||

Feat. Dr. Iverina Ivanova (Part 1/2)

In this episode of the DPT Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Iverina Ivanova — a linguist, researcher, and lifelong learner whose love for the English language shaped her academic and personal journey.

From falling in love with English as a child, to navigating the pressures of exams, and learning how to turn setbacks into stepping stones — Dr. Ivanova shares her story of resilience, motivation, and growth. Along the way, she reflects on the role of family, teachers, and self-belief in shaping her path, and what it really means to stay motivated after failure.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or someone on your own learning journey, this conversation is filled with insights on resilience, curiosity, and the courage to follow your inner compass.

🎧 In Part 1, you’ll hear about:

✨ Falling in love with English and early inspirations

✨ The influence of parents and teachers

✨ Facing exams, failure, and lessons learned

✨ Staying motivated through setbacks

✨ Leaving home, hustling, and making sacrifices

✨ Planting the seeds of a career in linguistics

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore Iva’s Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral work, highlighting the role of a linguist in today's technology.

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Dr. Iverina Ivanova is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer in Linguistics at Goethe University Frankfurt, where she also completed her PhD in Linguistics (dissertation title: "Text-type Constraints on the Choice of Linguistic Mechanisms in Research Articles: A Corpus-based Approach").

Her academic journey began at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Philology. She then pursued a Master’s in Linguistics and Web Technologies at the Philipp University of Marburg, Germany, combining her passion for language with the emerging world of digital technologies.

Today, Dr. Ivanova's research and teaching explore the intersection of language, technology, and learning. Her story reflects resilience, curiosity, and the courage to turn challenges into opportunities — qualities that continue to shape both her academic and personal journey.

Homepage: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/63596210/Iverina_Ivanova

His Research Areas: Discourse Analysis and Academic Writing; English Syntax; Syntax, Semantics, and Distribution of Non-finite Clauses; Natural Language Processing; Corpus Linguistics; E-Learning for linguistic purposes

⏰ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome & Episode Introduction

02:12 – Falling in love with the English language

10:53 – How her brother act as an catalyst

12:16 – The role of teachers in shaping curiosity

17:54 – Parents’ influence and expectations

19:51 – Why her family didn’t initially see her as a linguist

22:38 – Facing the “Matura” school-leaving exam

28:22 – Learning how to become a better student

37:17 – First taste of failure and lessons learned

45:20 – How to prepare effectively for exams

52:01 – Staying motivated after setbacks

54:49 – Building resilience

59:30 – Studying Philology at Sofia University

59:47 – What is philology?

01:01:09 – Why she chose philology

01:03:10 – Leaving home for the first time & moving to Sofia

01:05:39 – Finding a side hustle

01:08:22 – Sacrifices made during student years

01:11:11 – Stress that comes with hustling

01:14:09 – Missed opportunities… or not?

01:16:23 – The seed of a career idea

01:19:03 – Combining linguistics skills with technology

01:24:42 – Why pursue a Master’s degree

01:26:55 – The Bachelor’s exam experience

01:28:12 - Final Thoughts

01:44:55 Final thoughts

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgeria: https://www.uni-sofia.bg/eng

Philipps' University of Marburg, Germany: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying

Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/study

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

#DPTPodcast #PodcastInterview #LifeLessons #Resilience #Motivation #LearningJourney #StudentLife #Exams #StudyMotivation #FailureToSuccess #ConfidenceBuilding#PersonalGrowth #Mindset

#Linguistics #Philology #LanguageLearning #LoveForLanguage #LifelongLearning

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.4 ||

Feat. Prof. Andreas Kreisel (Part 2)

Welcome to another amazing episode of DPT podcast with Professor Andreas Kreisel!

Ready to navigate the academic world? Join us as we break down the post-PhD journey!

In Part 2 of our two-part series, we cover everything from postdoc interviews and moving to the US, to the pros and cons of the research environments in Europe vs. the US. Plus, get expert advice on the ideal time to start writing those all-important funding proposals.

We also take a deep dive into the mind-blowing world of superconductivity—what it is, why it matters, and what makes it so "unconventional." If you're a student or a budding researcher, this episode is packed with invaluable wisdom you won't want to miss!

In this episode, we'll explore:

- What to expect in postdoctoral interviews

- Expert advice on securing funding and writing winning research proposals.

- A fascinating breakdown of superconductivity and its real-world impact.

- Rewards and challenges of teaching in academia.

If you’ve missed part 1, check it out here [https://youtu.be/Wd5xCgRGi7s]

Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT Podcast): Your go-to source for understanding the unique career 'phases' of leading professionals in academia and industry. Subscribe for more expert interviews, insightful physics lectures, and practical skill-building content.

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Professor Andreas Kreisel is currently an Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter Physics at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. From early 2026, he will be an Associate Professor at Uppsala University, Sweden. His extensive academic background includes a Habilitation from the University of Leipzig, postdoctoral work at the Niels Bohr Institute and the University of Florida, and a PhD from Goethe University Frankfurt with a dissertation titled "Spin-wave calculations for Heisenberg magnets with reduced symmetry."

Homepage: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/research/condensed-matter-physics/?pure=en/persons/472920

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DoVjYpYAAAAJ&hl=de

His Research Areas: Magnetism and Unconventional Superconductivity

⏰ Episode Chapters:

0:00 Welcome & Episode Introduction

02:16 Why to do postdoc?

05:09 The postdoctoral interview

10:41 Moving to the US

12:41 US vs Europe: Research environment

15:57 Ideal time to start writing research proposals

21:15 What is superconductivity?

24:19 What is coherence?

26:40 Research status in superconductivity

34:50 Huge Impact of ‘solid state physics’ in current society

37:38 Superconductivity: Why should we care?

37:39 What is so ‘unconventional’ about it?

43:41 Teaching style and aspects of teaching

53:19 Rewarding aspect of teaching

55:32 How to learn quickly and deeply in research?

58:19 Scientific approach to physical problems

01:00:48 How to deal with challenges in science research?

01:02:01 Favourite challenge that proved to be important work

01:07:22 Moving to Uppsala University next year

01:11:56 Fun Trivia: Hobbies, Languages, Role Models

01:15:07 PhD : To do or not to do

01:18:57 Final Thoughts

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

Niel’s Bohr Institute, Uni Copenhagen, Denmark: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/study/

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA: https://admissions.ufl.edu

Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/study

University of Leipzig, Germany: https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/studying/prospective-students/courses-of-study

Uppsala University, Sweden: https://www.uu.se/en/study/search

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

#️⃣ Hashtags:#Academia #HigherEducation #Research #PhDLife #EarlyCareer #Physics #CondensedMatterPhysics #Superconductivity #AcademicChallenges #Podcast #UniversityLife #ScienceCareer

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.3 ||

Feat. Prof. Andreas Kreisel (Part 1)

Welcome to a truly insightful episode of DPT podcast! In Part 1 of our two-part series, we sit down with the brilliant Professor Andreas Kreisel, a physicist currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen.

Many of us don't anticipate the hurdles that come with a career, especially in the demanding world of higher education and research. But what if you could be prepared? In this compelling conversation, we dive into the pivotal early decisions and strategies that shaped Professor Kreisel's remarkable career journey.

In this episode, we'll explore:

* What the initial years after earning your degree truly look like.

* Strategies for facing challenges during the crucial early phases of higher education and research.

* A dive into how groundbreaking research is conducted.

* Understanding the demands of pursuing a PhD.

This episode focuses on his incredible journey leading up to and including his PhD. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 (https://youtu.be/gU4SORrSlgI), where we'll delve into his postdoctoral work, his habilitation experience, and his exciting new role as an Associate Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden starting from 2026!

Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT Podcast): Your go-to source for understanding the unique career 'phases' of leading professionals in academia and industry. Subscribe for more expert interviews, insightful physics lectures, and practical skill-building content.

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Professor Andreas Kreisel is currently an Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter Physics at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen.

Homepage: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/research/condensed-matter-physics/?pure=en/persons/472920

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DoVjYpYAAAAJ&hl=de

His Research Areas: Unconventional Superconductivity

⏰ Episode Chapters:

0:00:00 Welcome & Episode Introduction

00:03:24 Falling in love with Physics

00:04:37 Childhood influences & interests

00:08:53 German school system: then & now

00:12:46 Parental support & its role

00:14:23 Why choose Physics?

00:16:30 University selection process

00:19:22 The importance of campus visits

00:21:14 Initial university challenges & coping strategies

00:36:47 Choosing a PhD advisor & topic

00:41:00 PhD research questions & problem-solving methods

01:01:41 Final Thoughts

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

Niel’s Bohr Institute, Uni Copenhagen, Denmark: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/study/

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA: https://admissions.ufl.edu

Goethe University Frankfurt: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/study

University of Leipzig: https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/studying/prospective-students/courses-of-study

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

#️⃣ Hashtags:#Academia #HigherEducation #Research #PhDLife #EarlyCareer #Physics #CondensedMatterPhysics #Superconductivity #AcademicChallenges #Podcast #UniversityLife #ScienceCareerDecoding

Decoding Phase Transitions - the DPT Podcast || Ep.2 ||

Prof. Na Zou's Global Career Journey (Part 2)

Join us for Part 2 of our deep dive with Professor Na Zou, Assistant Professor at the University of Bath! If you're a student, PhD candidate, or aspiring academic, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

We pull back the curtain on how Professor Zou leveraged her student activities to secure a job offer immediately after her Master's degree. Then, we dive into the often-challenging but critical PhD experience, discussing how to successfully navigate multi-disciplinary research projects and make them work for your long-term goals. Perhaps most importantly, Professor Zou reveals the paramount importance of networking at academic conferences and shares how her exceptional presentation skills led directly to powerful word-of-mouth recommendations that were instrumental in landing her subsequent academic positions.

Learn directly from her firsthand experiences on how to strategically approach career development in academia and beyond. This episode offers a roadmap for anyone looking to build a global career and navigating through complex career phases.

In this episode, we'll explore:

∙ The unexpected career benefits of active student participation

∙ Navigating the visa process and settling into a new city

∙ Strategies for PhD students tackling complex, interdisciplinary research

∙ Why honing your presentation skills is a non-negotiable for career advancement

∙ How professional referrals, born from excellent work, can create new opportunities.

∙ Importance of mastering the art of networking at academic conferences

Don't Miss Part 1: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpBrJR6vLts&list=PLK152Z45fAKnLusMqOyY5Q0zf2Fz9wiXk] - Hear about Na Zou's academic foundations and her strategic career planning.

Decoding Phase Transitions (DPT Podcast): Your go-to source for understanding the unique career 'phases' of leading professionals in academia and industry. Subscribe for more expert interviews, insightful physics lectures, and practical skill-building content.

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Prof. Na Zou: Assistant Professor, Strategy and Organization Division, School of Management, University of Bath

LinkedIn: / nazou

Homepage: https://sites.google.com/view/nazou/?...

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?...

Her Research Areas: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Social Networks, Corporate Strategy

⏰ Episode Chapters:

0:00 Welcome & Episode Introduction

02:11 Student Activities at IDEON

15:55 Getting a Job

18:59 Moving to Stockholm

20:04 Why a PhD?

29:14: The PhD interview

34:59 PhD Journey begins

37:40 Initial challenges in the city

48:38: Managing multi-disciplinary project during PhD

58:40 Job offer

01:04:18 Reasons for choosing Academia

01:11:18 Shall academia prep for industry?

01:18:48 Networking at conferences

01:23:25 Fun Trivia

01:29:40 Final Thoughts

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

University of Lund: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/home

Goethe University Frankfurt: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/study

IDEON - the innovation hub https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/research-and-innovation/innovation-and-entrepreneurship/innovative-environments

Prezi for making presentation: https://prezi.com/

DEMOLA: https://www.demola.net

Bocconi University, Milan, Italy : https://www.unibocconi.it/en/applying-bocconi?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13526854705&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Uxdcs1u7yqHPJ0AGzAPVcQeAat&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyIPDBhDBARIsAHJyyVh2aajbelTzQ81-luwsy7z2jzF9fITEmqrMCxhfE6xzljYeT3erErkaAiBjEALw_wcB

Copenhagen Business School, Denmark : https://www.cbs.dk/en

Esade (Barcelona and Madrid), Spain: https://www.esade.edu/en

INSEAD, France: https://www.insead.edu/executive-education/masters-and-execed?CampaignId=GGL_Search_A&SiteId=GGL&CampaignName=EUR-DE[EN]_GGL-Brand[GEN]-INSEAD-Pure_MT-Phrase&AdId=JOINTBRANDPURE&device=c&term=insead%20business%20school_(e)&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18956356993&gbraid=0AAAAAD6tgXybdrRC03ia64I0sAW1a8RUs&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyIPDBhDBARIsAHJyyVhPRfzphTH8Ob6nvFz4hrwqSz81uuQBjX1vXstqAsGv3WGAuQaAYloaAkOOEALw_wcB

HEC, Paris: https://www.hec.edu/en

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands https://www.rsm.nl/

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd

#️⃣ Hashtags:

#DecodingPhaseTransitions #DPTPodcast #CareerJourney #PhDLife #Academia #CareerStrategy #DrNaZou #UniversityOfBath #Economics #InternationalEducation #AcademicCareer #InternationalCareer #ResearchLife #CareerPlanning

Prof. Na Zou's Global Career Journey (Part 1)

Welcome to Part 1 of our inspiring conversation with Prof. Na Zou, an Assistant Professor at the University of Bath's School of Management. In this episode, we dive deep into her foundational academic journey, from her school days to dual Bachelor's degrees in China, extending to her Master's studies in Sweden. Discover the early decisions, cultural transitions, and strategic thinking that shaped the initial phases of her remarkable career.

🎙️ About This Episode's Guest:

Prof. Na Zou: Assistant Professor, Strategy and Organization Division, School of Management, University of Bath

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazou/

Homepage: https://sites.google.com/view/nazou/?pli=1

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8Hgq0hsAAAAJ&hl=en

Her Research Areas: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Social Networks, Corporate Strategy

⏰ Episode Chapters:

0:00 Welcome & Episode Introduction

0:33 Introducing Dr. Na Zou: Her Academic Journey

1:57 Choosing Economics as a Career Path

5:55 Childhood and Early Life in China

11:43 The Role of Parents

14:39 Impact of Siblings' Career Journeys

30:00 Schooling and Navigating Exams

47:12 Challenges and Learnings Up to Her Master's Degree

53:31 Adapting to a New Culture & Academic System in Sweden

59:08 Practical Tips for Adapting to a Master's Curriculum Abroad

1:02:44 Master's Thesis and the Impact of Her PI

1:13:20 Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead to Part 2: The PhD Journey

🔗 Resources Mentioned / Related Links:

IELTS Test: https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org

University of Lund: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/admissions/bachelors-and-masters-studies/masters-degree-studies

Goethe University Frankfurt: https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/124971977/International_Student_Services

👋 Connect with Sananda Biswas (Host):

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SanandaBiswasPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananda-biswas-PhD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sananda.biswas.phd