Dr. Joydip De

How did you get your current job/ find this industry?

I pursued an academic research career by building a strong research profile during my Ph.D. and postdoctoral work. After completing my Ph.D., I joined the University of St Andrews (UK) as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, where I had the opportunity to work in an international environment and expand my expertise in organic electronics and light-emitting materials.

That experience really shaped my research direction and helped me build valuable collaborations. Building on this, I applied for the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, which I was fortunate to receive—and that ultimately brought me to Würzburg.

How did your studies at JMU prepare you for your current job?

My time at JMU really helped me grow both scientifically and professionally. The interdisciplinary and international environment strengthened my independence and problem-solving skills and allowed me to explore new research directions in supramolecular chemistry. In particular, I worked on supramolecular polymerization using non-covalent interactions and photo-functional tools to better understand complex biological systems—experiences that are directly relevant to my current work.

At the same time, courses such as Personality Development in Academia helped shape my professional mindset and encouraged a more structured and productive academic approach.

What do you like most about your current job?

What I enjoy most about my current job is the freedom to explore new scientific ideas and work on challenging, cutting-edge research problems. I particularly like combining molecular design with functional applications to better understand complex biological processes and to develop advanced materials.

At the same time, collaborating with international researchers and mentoring students makes the work very rewarding.

What is one of your best memories from your studies?

One of my best memories from my research days was seeing an idea I had in mind finally translate into successful experimental results, which opened up new directions for research and publications. Designing molecules, overcoming experimental challenges, and ultimately contributing new knowledge to the field was extremely fulfilling and motivated me to pursue research further.

Do you have a tip for students who are about to graduate and enter the job market?

My advice would be to build strong fundamentals, stay curious, and not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Gaining international exposure, developing problem-solving skills, and staying persistent are key.

From my own experience, being open to new opportunities and collaborations across different countries played an important role in shaping my career path. Networking and communicating your research clearly can open doors you might not have anticipated.

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