Materials Research, driven by innovations in chemistry, is solving big problems focused on energy storage, clean water and renewable fuels.

Avik De, our next pathbreaker, R&D Engineer at RISE Research Institues of Sweden, works on developing eco-friendly thermal insulation materials for buildings.

Avik talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about one of his most memorable projects where he developed a special compound that could capture toxic heavy metals, like mercury, from wastewater.

For students, keep working on sustainable materials, to make a future towards a greener world, and work on making science more connected to real-world needs.

Avik,  can you share your background with our young readers?

I grew up in a small township called Kolaghat, about 75 km from Kolkata in West Bengal. My father worked at a thermal power plant and had completed his MSc in physics. My mother, who had a BA degree, chose to dedicate herself fully to our family and sacrificed her career to take care of me and my younger sister. Both of us spent our childhood in that peaceful town, surrounded by warmth, simplicity, and strong family values.

I was always curious about science, so after class 10, I chose science subjects in school. I wasn’t the top student, but I was sincerely interested in learning and doing well.

Initially, I thought of becoming an engineer. But around 2008, there was a global financial crisis, and that, along with my not-so-great JEE rank, made me rethink. Also, I wasn’t very confident in physics, so I decided to study chemistry instead.

Outside of academics, I loved playing cricket, computer games, and collecting stamps. These hobbies helped me stay curious and creative. Later, I developed a deep interest in photography and traveling, which continue to be two of my favorite hobbies.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

For my graduation, I moved to Bankura, my grandfather’s town, and studied BSc with chemistry Honours at Bankura Christian College, one of the oldest colleges in Bengal (established in 1903). Interestingly, my father also studied at the same college, which made it even more special for me.

After completing my BSc, I moved to Kolkata for my MSc in Chemistry (specializing in inorganic chemistry) from Scottish Church College, which is affiliated with the University of Calcutta.

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Materials Chemistry?

My teachers in school and college always encouraged my curiosity in chemistry. I remember enjoying lab experiments more than anything.

During my Master’s degree, I had professors who showed me how Chemistry could solve real-world problems. Apart from my teachers and professors, some of my closest friends also played an important role in guiding and mentoring me in the right direction.

I got a chance to work on a small research project in my MSc, and that experience made me realize I wanted to go deeper into research.

Choosing not to pursue engineering and instead studying Chemistry was a big moment. That decision led me to where I am today.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Tell us about your career path

Honestly, I didn’t have everything planned from the beginning. But I always tried to make thoughtful decisions.

After MSc, I started applying to PhD programs. I got selected at Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, and did my PhD there in chemical sciences.

During my PhD, I worked on metal complexes and porous materials that can be used in sensing, photocatalysis and environmental applications. I also published research papers and presented my work at conferences.

Post-PhD, I got a postdoctoral position in Sweden at Umeå University, where I learned about developing various materials as electrocatalysts to  split water and make hydrogen which is a clean source of energy.

These fields are all about using chemistry to solve big problems like energy storage, clean water, and renewable fuels. I mostly worked on electrochemistry and electrocatalysis during my research tenure at Umea university. Here I have explained a bit about these terms.

Electrochemistry: This is the study of how electricity and chemical reactions work together. It’s the science behind batteries, fuel cells, and even the way our mobile phones get charged. Without electrochemistry, we wouldn’t have portable electronics.

Supercapacitors: These are like super-fast charging batteries. Imagine if you could charge your phone in just a few seconds- that’s the kind of thing supercapacitors can do.

Photocatalysis: This is when light (usually sunlight) is used to speed up a chemical reaction. One application is cleaning polluted water. Certain photocatalysts can break down harmful chemicals or dyes in wastewater when exposed to sunlight.

Electrocatalysis: This is about speeding up chemical reactions that involve electricity. For example, we can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.

Later, I worked on a project which was a joint collaboration between RISE and Luleå University. . So, while I was an R&D Engineer at RISE, I was also a guest researcher at Luleå University, working in their laboratories as part of the same project.

Currently, I am working at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden as a Research and Development Engineer. My PhD and postdoc experiences directly helped me land this role. Here I am working on developing and shaping materials mainly for thermal insulation applications.

Each step built on the last, and I always tried to learn something new, either through formal education, projects, or collaborations.

How did you get your first break?

My first real break came when I got selected for a PhD position at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata. I had applied to several institutes and attended multiple interviews, but I chose IACS because it’s one of the oldest and most respected research institutes in India, and it was also close to home. Getting into IACS marked the true beginning of my research journey. It gave me the opportunity to explore science deeply, work in advanced labs, and start shaping my career as a researcher.

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

Challenge 1: Language and cultural change (moving to Sweden)

At first, it was difficult to adjust to a new culture and language. I took time to observe, listen, and ask questions. Swedes are very helpful, so that made it easier.

Challenge 2: Learning new lab techniques

I had to learn a lot of new equipment and techniques during my postdoc. I asked for help from colleagues and read manuals/watched videos to learn faster.

Challenge 3: Doubts about my career choices

Sometimes, I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decisions. But I kept focusing on learning and trying new things and that slowly built confidence.

Where do you work now?

I work as a Research and Development Engineer at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. It’s a government research institute that works with universities, companies, and public sectors.

What problems do you solve?

We are developing eco-friendly thermal insulation materials for buildings. Most traditional insulation materials are harmful to the environment or people. Our goal is to create low-cost, lightweight, and sustainable materials to keep homes warm during the freezing winters in Sweden.

Ceramics are materials that are not metals, don’t burn easily, and can handle very high heat. They are usually hard but can break if dropped. Things like clay, silica (found in sand), and alumina are examples of ceramics.

In my work, I made porous ceramics- imagine something like a sponge but made from strong ceramic material. These tiny holes make the material much lighter while still keeping its strength and heat resistance. Because of these special properties, porous ceramics are used for cleaning dirty gases or liquids (filtration) and also as a base to hold catalysts in chemical reactions.

Skills needed for the job?

  • Knowledge of materials science and chemistry
  • Hands-on lab skillsTeamwork and communication
  • Writing skills for reports and research papers

I learned many of these skills during my PhD and postdoc.

What’s a typical day like?

I reach the office at 9 AM, check my emails, and plan my day. I spend the morning in the lab or in meetings. After lunch with my colleagues, I continue lab work or writing in the afternoon. We also take a short “Fika” break (Swedish coffee break) to relax and chat. I usually finish work around 5:30 PM, go to the gym, cook, talk to family, and wind down with a movie or reading.

What do I love about this job?

Sweden has an amazing work-life balance. Also, the work culture is respectful and flat – even the CEO sits next to interns. I also love that I can work on real-life problems and see my research turn into practical solutions.

How does your work benefit society?

Our work helps make buildings more energy efficient using environment-friendly materials. In countries like Sweden, where winters are very cold, better insulation saves a lot of energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. So, we are helping both people and the planet. 

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

One of the memorable projects I worked on was the very first one I completed during my PhD. I developed a special compound that could capture toxic heavy metals, like mercury, from wastewater. It was a big challenge for me because I was just starting out in research, and I had to work with some hazardous chemicals. On top of that, no one in our research group had worked on a similar problem before, so I had to figure out many things on my own. Despite the difficulties, I was able to complete the project successfully, and the results were published in a reputed international journal. That publication was my very first, and it gave me a huge sense of confidence and pride. It made me believe that with enough effort and curiosity, even difficult problems can be solved.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Be curious: Ask questions, explore things beyond the textbook.

It’s okay not to have all the answers: Even I didn’t know exactly what I wanted at 18.

Stay open-minded: Life can take unexpected but rewarding turns.

Don’t fear failure: Every setback is a lesson.

Balance studies and hobbies: Your hobbies make you creative and mentally strong.

Future Plans?

In the near future, I want to keep working on sustainable materials, to make a future towards a greener world. I also want to mentor students and maybe return to India someday to contribute to scientific research and development. Ultimately, I hope to make science more connected to real-world needs.