Hello, my name is Amit Kumar Singh, and I am a researcher passionate about unravelling the mysteries of light, its generation and detection. I am currently a MSCA COFUND Sparkle fellow at Tyndall National Institute, Cork under the supervision of Dr Stefan Schulz. Born and raised in Kushinagar, India, my fascination with science and technology began at an early age and has only grown stronger over the years.
I hold a PhD in Engineering from Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. My research focuses on developing a multiscale simulation framework for III-Nitride based UV light emitters.
My innate interest in the sciences, especially physics, always persisted throughout my time in school. I thoroughly loved reading about the lives of scientists and their efforts to make discoveries. I enjoyed seeing and learning about nature’s intricate details. At the time, I had very little knowledge of what a scientist’s life would be like, but it seemed incredibly exciting. While I have always had a fascination for science and technology, it wasn’t until later in my academic career, while I was studying for my undergraduate engineering degree, that I realized how much I loved research and made the decision to work in both academics and research.
I have been deeply inspired by seeing how scientific progress can bring positive changes in the society. Science has the capacity to improve lives, address important concerns, and change the future through technological and medical advancements. I have also been inspired by a number of scientists whose groundbreaking research has influenced our understanding of the world. I got the chance to collaborate with several enthusiastic and accomplished professors and researchers during my postgraduate studies and as an assistant professor at University of Delhi, New Delhi and Manipal University Jaipur, India. Working closely with them, I experienced personally the thrill of learning new things and the satisfaction that comes from contributing to the society through science.
My journey to becoming a researcher really started during pursuing an undergraduate degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India. I had the opportunity to build a strong foundation in electronics and gain hands-on experience in conducting experiments and analysing data. While pursuing a master’s degree in VLSI systems and technology from Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India, I was introduced to the exciting field of semiconductors, nanotechnology and the research opportunities and challenges in the field.
Being a MSCA Sparkle fellow has offered me the freedom to pursue my own research interests, something I have always valued as a researcher. While I have been passionate and focussed about my research, the path to becoming a researcher has not been straightforward. However, it is all worth the great joy in the process of discovery and developing innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Collaborating with researchers from different institutions in India and through the MSCA Sparkle fellowship has enriched my research perspective and broadened my understanding of the knowledge in photonics. Relocating to Ireland has required me to adapt to a new research environment, yet this has provided me opportunities for personal growth, adaptability, and new collaborations.
I am very grateful for the experiences and growth that being a researcher has brought me, and I look forward to continuing my pursuit to further the field of photonics.
I would advise someone who is unclear about their job path to start by figuring out what actually inspires and excites them. The next thing would be to understand your strengths and values. The journey to finding the right career path is unique to each individual and one may always reach out to professionals and well-known mentors in the field of interest. To me, I have been very fortunate to have very supporting mentors and advisors throughout. But, ultimately, it’s crucial to believe in oneself, follow one’s passion, and be open to the opportunities that lie ahead. It is important to embrace the unknown and be willing to take calculated chances if you want to advance in your career path. It’s also important to be aware that pursuing a career path requires not only passion and dedication, but also time and exploration.
Sparkle has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 847652 and from Science Foundation Ireland.
