About
From Molecular Insights to Real-World Solutions
The Journey
I grew up in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, India, where electricity was available only a few hours each day and the nearest proper secondary school was in the next town.
Today I work with a Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser system at the University of Kassel, studying ultrafast reaction dynamics at femtosecond timescales (10-15 s). I have also run beamtime experiments at the ISA-ASTRID2 synchrotron in Aarhus, Denmark.
The distance between those two worlds taught me how to work through hard problems: break them down, and stay with them until they are solved.
What Shaped My Approach
National INSPIRE Fellowship (2018–2023)
A national doctoral fellowship from DST, Government of India. For five years I managed my research funding, worked with collaborators across institutions, and published first-author work on ionic liquids, water, and nanoparticles.
The fellowship gave me early responsibility for project management, stakeholder communication, and delivering results under external scrutiny.
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Kassel (2023–Present)
Joined the Structural Molecular Dynamics group to investigate reaction dynamics in microsolvated environments using Ti:Sapphire laser systems with PEPICO spectroscopy.
Key contributions:
- •Reassembled and upgraded experimental setup transferred from MBI Berlin (water cluster source, differential pumping, magnetic-bottle spectrometer)
- •Developed Python automation tools: moved data acquisition from ADC to TDC, and built the laser-polarimetry control script
- •Introduced Obsidian-based shared lab notebook for team documentation
2 hours to 5 minutes
Polarimetry measurement I automated; in daily lab use
How I Solve Hard Problems
My approach remains consistent whether troubleshooting hardware, analyzing data, building Python pipelines, or learning new tools
Decompose
Break into testable parts
Understand
Study deeply
Build
Create working solution
Refine
Iterate until robust
iterate between Build and Refine
This pattern works because it forces you to stop guessing and start testing. Debugging a misbehaving PEPICO spectrometer, isolating why a TDC timestamp parser produces wrong coincidences, or tracing a calibration drift in a Newport stage controller - the structure is always the same. Decompose, understand, build, refine.
Working With Me
Communication
I prefer overcommunicating technical constraints early rather than discovering problems late. Direct questions get direct answers.
Deadlines
Realistic estimates based on experience. If laser alignment typically takes 3 days, I budget 4 to account for unexpected issues.
Collaboration
Comfortable working independently (Python scripting, data analysis) or in teams (multi-institution experiments). I ask for help when stuck and offer it when relevant.
Learning
Fast with structured material, slower with poorly documented systems. I read manuals thoroughly before asking questions, but I do ask when documentation is unclear.
Tech Stack & Tools
Scientific Instrumentation
Coincidence Spectroscopy: PEPICO, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, velocity-map imaging (VMI)
Optical Spectroscopy: FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman; Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser systems
Vacuum Systems: Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chambers, molecular beam setups
Facilities: Synchrotron beamtime (ISA-ASTRID2, Aarhus)
Lab Automation & Data Engineering
Instrument Control: LabVIEW (DAQ, rotational stages, real-time acquisition), PyVISA, PySerial
Data Pipelines: Automated spectral processing, ETL workflows, binary TDC parsing (Python-based)
HPC: Linux HPC environments (Gaussian 16, ORCA, SLURM), Shell scripting
DevOps: Git/GitHub, Docker, MLflow, GitHub Actions CI
Python & Machine Learning
Core: NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib, PyQt5
ML/AI: scikit-learn, XGBoost, SHAP, FastAPI, Streamlit, LangGraph
Databases: SQL, TimescaleDB
Other: LaTeX, Markdown, Obsidian (lab notebooks)
Quantum Chemistry & Computation
DFT Packages: Gaussian 16, ORCA 6.0 - geometry optimizations, excited states, thermochemistry
Conformer Search: CREST (iMTD-GC), Psi4 for high-accuracy single points
Analysis: Multiwfn for wavefunction analysis, Plotly and Origin for visualization
Workflow: SLURM job scripting, automated batch calculations
What Colleagues Say
"Deepak is an exceptionally dedicated researcher with a genuine passion for scientific discovery. His ability to break down complex problems and develop innovative solutions, especially in spectroscopy and data science, consistently impressed our entire cohort. His collaborative spirit and technical expertise make him an ideal research partner."
"I wholeheartedly recommend Deepak for his exceptional expertise in advanced spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, and computational data analysis. His strong command of complex datasets and analytical methodologies, combined with diligence and professionalism, sets him apart as a highly impactful researcher and problem solver."
“Deepak consistently demonstrated strong analytical thinking and systematic problem-solving abilities. He had a talent for breaking down complex challenges into manageable components and frequently delivered innovative, efficient solutions that elevated our team’s work. His attention to detail, ability to stay focused under pressure, and collaborative attitude made him a reliable team member who consistently delivered high-quality results.”
Where I'm Heading
Short-term (2026–2027)
R&D, instrumentation, and data-science / ML roles at scientific instrumentation, photonics, semiconductor, or metrology companies in the DACH region. Bringing spectroscopy depth and Python automation to organizations where measurement quality drives outcomes.
Long-Term Vision
Grow into a role where deep scientific understanding and practical delivery both matter, and where I can connect research methods to real industrial problems.
Professional Timeline
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Kassel, Germany
Ultrafast spectroscopy with Ti:Sapphire systems; built the lab's polarimetry automation and data pipeline
PhD in Physics & INSPIRE Fellow
IITRAM, Ahmedabad, India
12 first-author publications, independent project management
National competitive fellowship (DST, Government of India)
Granted Indian Patent
Gas-separation membranes
M.Sc. Physics
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, India
Dissertation: Study of Rare Earths Activated SrSnO₃ for White LED
"Over eight years I have built measurement setups, run them, and written the software that turns their signals into results."
Let's Connect
Whether you're considering research collaborations, technical roles, consulting projects, or simply want to discuss interesting problems, I'd be glad to talk.