A Look at LOTUS 2025 Part 2: Prajit Singha of Kobe University

The LOTUS Programme, supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency's Sakura Science Exchange Program, aims to strengthen Japan-India joint research efforts by fostering collaborations and building networks between research institutions in Japan and India. In this installment of A Look at LOTUS, we spoke with Prajit Singha, a Research Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India, who is conducting research at Kobe University as part of his experience participating in the programme.

Q1. Please tell us about your background.

A1. Using spectroscopy to 'see' the unseeable

I completed my master's degree at the University of Hyderabad in India. From there, I actually got into working with ultrafast dynamics because it's what I was involved with while I was studying, mostly using solvents.

After that I did my PhD at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, working mostly with spectroscopy. I chose spectroscopy because of the basic idea that chemists are 'blind.' They can't see what is actually happening during a reaction. In physics, for example, you can observe that things are moving mechanically, but chemists have to use tools to do this. Spectroscopy is one of these tools, and when it's ultrafast, it's much cooler! Things happen very quickly, and you can actually track what is going on during a reaction. Along with ultrafast dynamics, I also worked in single-molecule spectroscopy. Through these I was able to look at things using both spectral and temporal resolutions.

Here in Japan, I was able to learn more deeply about how carriers move inside nanocrystals, I actually became interested in perovskites and nanocrystals, which began to emerge during my master's student days, during my PhD where I got the chance to work on them. This is where my work relates to Professor Tominaga's Lab. It is so well equipped! It has all the instruments I need, and I get a lot of help from Professor Tominaga. When you have some ideas and you have a nice instructor, things work well and I think this was a great fit.

I first came here through a fellowship, where I had the chance to speak with my mentor who told me about an interesting program in Japan, which actually helps Indian young scientist who want to work here. It is a great platform through which you can continue your work. I am very thankful to both the fellowship and LOTUS.

Q2. What research are you undertaking with the LOTUS Programme

A2. Analyzing perovskite nanocrystals and the carriers inside them

Since Professor Tominaga's group is mostly focused on doing spectroscopy in the terahertz domain, I synthesized some materials, specifically perovskite nanocrystals, and am using the instruments and techniques here to track the carriers in them and I am using ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy to do so. I actually began my work during my initial fellowship here in Japan and was able to continue my work here at Kobe University through the LOTUS Programme.

We also had an interesting program last July in Tokyo. LOTUS organized for many of the invitees to be there and it was such a good learning experience across various fields, not only chemistry. Many Indians working on physics, water technology, and some on other fields such as geography, came together to share presentations and ideas.

Q3. Tell us more about your experiences in India compared with Japan

A3. A tale of convenience and advanced instruments in Japan

I started here in Japan in August last year, defended my PhD in February and came back in March for the LOTUS Programme. Japan is a very convenient place. My supervisor back in India told me before I came that "Everywhere in the world is inconvenient but among them, Japan is the most convenient." Of course, in some cases, such as administration, I cannot do it all myself because Japanese is difficult and it can be hard to take care of it, but I think that it's not a big problem. There is also a member of the office that helps with these kinds of tasks. The language barrier can sometimes make things more difficult.

Japan is a very nice place to work. One thing I would say is that when you come here, you should also bring some ideas or thoughts with you. Things that help your work to move in a specific direction. There are always failures when doing research. If you go in one direction and it doesn't work, then you should go in another direction. If you bring a plan with you when you do research here, then I think you have a chance to be successful.

In terms of India, as you know we are a developing country. In Japan, and especially ultrafast labs, you have a wide range of equipment and options available to you. In India, we have some resource problems, if we have to order materials we have to make do with what we have. That's the biggest thing that stands out when comparing both countries.

Secondly, in India most of the instruments are black boxes, many researchers don't actually know what is going inside them, and if there are issues or they want to tune them, they cannot do it themselves, it's hard. I was very lucky here in this lab in that Ohta-san and Professor Tominaga made their own instruments, which I feel is very important. Making instruments and getting results from them are very different things. Making instruments takes a lot of effort and a lot of special skills. Not only collecting data, but also how instruments are made, making them work if there are issues, and how we can control different areas of the research. I also learnt a lot about processing data while I was here too.

In terms of the Indian research environment, there are many people in India, and we have strengths in human resources. Our basic education up to the master's level is strong. Our scientific education curriculum is also very strong. We work very hard once we reach the Ph.D. level and the Indian science community is increasing and are contributing to science day by day. We have very nice findings that are coming out in famous international journals, mostly in fields related to synthesis, inorganic chemistry, and so on. We do have some room to grow in physical chemistry, but I can say that we are one of the best in the world right in organic and inorganic chemistry.

Q4. A message for future LOTUS scholars

A4. A good partnership for advancing research goals.

The LOTUS Programme has helped my studies a lot. I first came here in March last year and received living expenses for the period which are very important for surviving overseas. Also, the program offers stays of 9 to 10 months at a time, which is quite long and very attractive for an overseas post. First, I had a few months to think about what I wanted to do research on, which I had already started on my previous scholarship. After being invited to LOTUS I was then able to learn how to use the instruments here in the lab and advance my research.

I will definitely tell other Indian researchers to join the LOTUS Programme! In terms of career perspectives, I have seen many people when they are applying outside for a postdoc position, some of whom have good qualifications, but they don't have international joint papers, which limits their career perspectives. I think this program can really help with solving this issue. I would also love to come back to Japan if things go well because of how much I have learned here, not only about science but also about way to live my life.

I also want to thank Tominaga sensei, he is a fantastic person. Whenever I want to ask him something or I have a problem, he is always available to help me. He has been so approachable during my stay. Outside of just scientific discussions, he and Ohta-san also sat down with me to discuss how to work on my manuscript, helped me through the process, and I was able to finalize it. This is a kind of partnership, like in cricket, where when it goes well the team wins! I really enjoyed my time here, and he is a nice person!

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