There is always a need for stronger, durable, lighter and sustainable materials that not only enhance the performance of vehicles, aircrafts and machinery, but also contribute to the resilience of infrastructure like bridges, roads, and buildings, thus ensuring safety and longevity.

Deepak Kumar, our next pathbreaker, Lead Research Scientist at Dover Corporation, works on solving challenges related to new material development, and improving the mechanical and tribological performance of metallic materials.

Deepak talks to  Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about developing a strong interest in material science, which exposed him to powder metallurgy, a greener technology compared to other conventional manufacturing processes.

For students, a career in material research offers a fascinating journey. One can specialize in a specific area, such as ferrous and nonferrous metals, process engineering, biomaterials, or energy materials.

Deepak, can you explain your background to our young readers?

I hail from a small village near Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and completed my schooling in my hometown.

I have a decade of professional experience specializing in powder metallurgy, coatings (metallic and composites), physical and mechanical metallurgy.

I began my career in 2014 as an R&D Engineer at Hoganas India, Pune, where I gained significant experience in powder metallurgy, focusing on alloy development, heat treatment, and failure analysis of mechanical components. I worked here till Jan’ 2018. 

In Feb’ 2018, I joined Tata Steel as a Researcher, working on metallic alloy development for diamond cutting tool applications. My role involved extensive lab testing and field trials and development of alloys in the powder metallurgy domain. This experience shaped my skills in new product development, lab operations, and OPEX/CAPEX management for new lab infrastructure development.

Since 2021, I have been working as a Lead Research Scientist at Dover India, Bengaluru, where I focus on projects related to metallic materials, powder metallurgy and prognostic and managing a team of 5 scientists and researchers.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Uttar Technical University in 2012 and a master’s degree in Material Science from IIT Bombay in 2014.

Can you explain some of the influences that led you to a career in Materials R&D?

During my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong interest in material science, which motivated me to pursue a postgraduate degree in the same field. After my post-graduation, I was exposed to powder metallurgy. This molded my understanding on how metallurgy works, effect of alloying elements and coatings on mechanical and tribological properties of components. I find great satisfaction in working with various types of metallic alloy and coatings. Moreover, Powder metallurgy is considered as a greener technology compared to other conventional manufacturing processes due to its low carbon footprint, which further enhances my passion for this area.

Tell us about your career path

During my final year of graduation, I decided to attempt for Gate examination and pursue post-graduation. I qualified gate examination and joined IIT Bombay for an MTech degree. After my masters, I got campus placement and stared my career with Hoganas India as R&D engineer.  How one grows in his/her career depends on the first job and the first boss, who play a significant role. My reporting manager, whom I consider one of the best mentors, shaped my thought process and gave me a lot of national and international exposure to learn and grow. My first organization, Hoganas AB is a Swedish MNC in the powder metallurgy domain. Hoganas produces metal powder and alloys that go into making different types of mechanical components. Powder metallurgy (PM) is a metal-forming process that uses uses metal powder (or a mixture of metal powder and non–metal powder) and its alloy to make mechanical components of different shape and sizes. These processes are considered green and more sustainable metal forming process because of very high raw material utilization as compared to conventional machining process where a lot of material wastage happens in the form of machined chips.  

One of the interesting projects that I worked on was the development of power transmission gear using powder metallurgy. Developing powder metallurgy gear helps in reducing gear manufacturing cost by upto 30% and is considered a green technology because of very less material wastage in the form of machined scrap.

Few of the points that I feel are important to me for my career growth and transition

  1. Develop a growth mindset and be curious for learning new things. Keep on evaluating your strengths and weaknesses and work on them and commit to continuous professional development. Consider online courses, workshops, or certifications.
  2. Evaluate Your Skills, What skills do you possess? Which ones are transferable to your desired career path?
  3. Research industries, roles, and companies that align with your passions and skills.
  4. Networking and building professional relationships, Attending Industry Events, and conferences help a lot in terms of getting ourselves upto date for new trends and technology.

How did you get your first break?

My professional journey started with Hoganas India. This was a campus placement for a Research and Development role. In general, when companies hire freshers, they look for your academic performance over the years and interview questions are mostly technical in nature. I still remember, I was asked to present my master project work to an interview panel during the selection process.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Some challenges people face in the core sector in early stages of their career are, less lucrative compensation as compared to their peers in software industry and limited opportunities. In certain cases, the workplace environment is not going to be as shiny as big software and consulting industries. On the other hand, challenges that core sector industries face in hiring the right talent is mismatch between industry and academic expectations. One needs to be ready with up-to-date technological as well as soft skill in order to excel in your field. Core sector jobs such as infrastructure, energy, technology, and manufacturing are less susceptible to economic downturns compared to non-core jobs that can be more volatile

Where do you work now?

Currently I’m working as Lead research scientist with Dover Corporation. Dover operates in segments that include Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. People with diverse backgrounds such as Mechanical Design, Materials, Polymer experts, Software developers are employed by Dover. As material experts, we deal with solving challenges related to new material development, improving the mechanical and tribological performance of metallic material by different types of heat treatment and coatings. 

How does your work benefit society?

Material researchers work on new material development and/or improving the performance of existing materials that go into diverse areas of applications 

Materials research work plays a vital role in driving societal progress and addressing global challenges.

1. New materials enable the development of cutting-edge technologies that improve our lives. For example, stronger and lighter materials enhance the performance of vehicles, aircraft, and infrastructure. Stronger, more durable materials enhance the resilience of infrastructure like bridges, roads, and buildings, ensuring safety and longevity.

2. Materials research contributes to the development of sustainable materials and processes, reducing our environmental impact. This includes the creation of biodegradable plastics, energy-efficient building materials, and renewable energy technologies.

3. Advanced materials find applications in medical devices, prosthetics, and drug delivery systems, improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life

4. Materials research plays a crucial role in tackling global challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and food security by providing innovative solutions.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

A career in material research offers a fascinating journey. Students who want to build their career in material research can think of the following roadmap

1. One can opt for undergraduate Degree in materials science and engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field. Focus on core subjects like solid-state physics, thermodynamics, and materials characterization.

2. Consider a master’s or PhD to specialize in a specific area, such as Ferrous and nonferrous metals, Process engineering, biomaterials, or energy materials.

3. Seek internships in research institutions, industries, or national laboratories to apply theoretical knowledge. Research Assistant Positions offered by all IITs, NITs and National research lab such as CSIR, DRDO

Future Plans?

I want to learn and grow in this field and over a period of time would like to head the R & D department.