`I've already learned some good new methods from the group.' He is here doing a post-doc with Dr. Paul Kelly, chair of the Computational Material Sciences research group, part of the MESA+ institute. Narayan's field is nanotechnology, working specifically with carbon nanotubes. Though only here for an abbreviated visit, Narayan has been enjoying the UT campus life. He is living in a social dorm building and has fun with the international crowd. `It's an interesting equilibrium in the kitchen area at times.' Unfortunately, as is the case with too many students, Vinay's bike was stolen in the first month: `I've learned the bus schedule and it has encouraged me to run more, so at least I am getting fit.'
Born and raised in London, Narayan received his PhD from Exeter in nanotechnology and followed this work with his first post-doc at Cambridge for 18 months. Vinay has spent the past five and a half years working in Sweden doing nanotechnology research. He says that he really enjoys that country, both the culture and the dry cold. The unique social climate and opportunity for research hold an attraction for the scientist.
Speaking of the character of Swedish institutes, Narayan says that the `working conditions are ideal for my research,' citing a more egalitarian atmosphere with fewer traditional academic hierarchy issues. He spent most of his time at the University of Göteborg but also worked at Linköpings University.
When his contract in Sweden ended, his search for work led him to the opportunity in Enschede. Narayan came here to expand his research experience and for a `crash course in something relevant.' He values the opportunity for short-term work and finds the quick immersion in CMS's research techniques refreshing. It is healthy to work with different research groups in different environments in order to stimulate thought and appreciate a diversity of methods. Narayan acknowledges that the though the nanotechnology work here is a broad enterprise, `there are difficulties in this field as far as understanding smaller and cleaner.' A lot of research is a stab in the dark, with educated guesses as to the real properties of certain materials. Narayan mentions the classic struggle between the two sides of scientific research, lamenting, `Funding bodies want certainties, yet researchers work with uncertainties.'
As an experienced researcher and veteran academic, Narayan has a conversational theory about the availability of international research positions. The idea is that at this stage of modernity, the portion of humanity truly required to do all the work necessary to sustain the population is (potentially) tiny. Therefore we would all be better served if the rest of the highly-educated and underemployed surplus were encouraged to do the sort of pure research scientists dream of: spending money and time on really trying to answer the big scientific questions. Chaotic geopolitical realities notwithstanding, it's an elegant ideal.
Miss about England: British TV comedy programs especially Only Fools and Horses
Miss about Sweden: Snow
Favorite Music: 70's to 80's
Favorite Film: The only good Tarantino, Pulp Fiction
Favorite Cuisine: Thai, Swedish (`it's not Swedish if it doesn't have sauce')
