Asistent Hrishikesh Kamble radi u Laboratoriju za optiku i optičke tanke slojeve Zavoda za fiziku materijala Instituta Ruđer Bošković. Zaposlen je u okviru “Projekta razvoja karijera mladih istraživača – izobrazba novih doktora znanosti” (DOK-2021-02) pod mentorstvom dr. sc. Vesne Janicki, a doktorsko istraživanje provodi u okviru HRZZ projekta “Metalni kompoziti za ultra-tanke infracrvene slojeve”. Cilj njegova doktorskog istraživanja je dobivanje slojeva s većim gubitcima u infracrvenom dijelu spektra od standardnih sustava deperkolacijom metalnih slojeva nanesenim na slojeve raznih vrsta dielektričnih materijala, što će omogućiti nove dizajne optičkih uređaja za infracrveno područje. U okviru programa MOBDOK Hrishikesh je proveo tri mjeseca na Institutu za molekularne znanosti (ISM) Sveučilišta u Bordeaxu, gdje mu je Mentor-domaćin bio Dr. Marc Dussauze.

(tekst se nastavlja na engleskom jeziku)

Why did you choose Institut des Sciences Moleculaires as the Host Institution and Dr Dussauze as the Host Mentor? Have you or your lab members collaborated with your Host Mentor or his team members in the past?

During the first year of my PhD, as I was working on my research plan, I spent a lot of time diving into literature reviews. One name that kept popping up in relevant publications was Dr. Marc Dussauze. His work at the Institute of Molecular Sciences (ISM), University of Bordeaux, was highly complementary to what we do in our lab. For instance, we focus on preparing samples and conducting optical studies—more on the physics side—while his group specializes in molecular spectroscopy, which leans more toward chemistry.

When the MOBDOK call was announced, my mentor and I saw it as a great opportunity. It seemed like the perfect chance to collaborate internationally and learn techniques we don’t typically use in our lab. We considered a few research groups, but ultimately, we decided on Marc Dussauze’s group. The synergy between our work and theirs was just too good to pass up.

For my PhD, which is divided into three main parts, we decided that the second part would focus on the skills and knowledge I would gain during this mobility program. Marc is a renowned glass chemist and a CNRS researcher, and the ISM has this amazing platform called SIV, which hosts a variety of Raman and FTIR spectrometers. The plan for my three-month visit was to bring samples from Zagreb to Bordeaux, conduct measurements using their advanced equipment, and gain expertise in these spectroscopy techniques.

Beyond my research, this visit was also about building bridges. It served as an icebreaker for future collaborations between my mentor and Marc. With this connection established, Marc could become a key collaborator in future projects, making this visit a crucial step for both my PhD and our lab’s broader goals.

What are the main differences between your Home institution and the Host Institution in terms of infrastructure, working conditions, group composition etc.?

When it comes to working conditions and group composition, I didn’t notice much difference between my home institution and ISM. It felt quite similar to what we have at IRB, with a collaborative atmosphere and dedicated researchers. However, the significant difference was in the infrastructure.

Being part of CNRS, the host institution had access to a wide range of high-end instruments, and not just a few—they had multiple configurations for each technique! What really stood out to me was the availability of engineers who were always on hand to address any issues with the instruments. This meant research could continue smoothly without delays.

Another thing that impressed me was their well-organized safety protocols, particularly for handling chemical substances and working with lasers. It was reassuring to see such robust systems in place, ensuring the safety of everyone in the lab. These differences in infrastructure and support really highlighted the scale and specialization that comes with being part of such a well-resourced institution.

Have your initial expectations been met? Has the duration of the stay been sufficient to meet all the objectives set out in the beginning? How will this study visit affect your doctoral thesis?

My experience at ISM was much more than I expected. I had gone in thinking I might have to manage everything on my own and that I wouldn’t get much direct attention. But that wasn’t the case at all. Marc was incredibly attentive while also encouraging me to learn independently. He gave me the freedom to experiment with the instruments, make mistakes, and really understand the nuances of how they work.

The stay was more than sufficient to meet all the objectives we had set. But what made it even more exciting was that we ended up with some unexpected, novel results. This was a pleasant surprise and has opened up new possibilities for collaboration. Marc and our group have decided to continue working together to explore this novelty further. On top of that, Marc has been kind enough to keep mentoring me so I can become proficient in techniques like Raman and FTIR and eventually gain expertise in these areas.

What’s especially satisfying is that the work we’ve done here, along with the results, will contribute to a scientific publication, which will also form an essential part of my PhD fulfillment.

Will you continue your collaboration with the Host Institution and/or Host mentor? Are you planning joint publications, project proposals, knowledge transfer, additional visits etc.?

Yes, we will definitely continue the collaboration. For now, the focus is on building upon the results we’ve obtained and making them robust enough for a convincing scientific publication. Beyond that, the plan is to involve Marc as a collaborator on a project that my mentor will be submitting in upcoming funding calls.

We’re also looking into the possibility of inviting Marc for a workshop or a visit to our lab. It would be a great opportunity to strengthen the collaboration further. If needed, I might also make another visit to Bordeaux, especially if we need to transfer samples or perform additional measurements. This collaboration has so much potential, and we’re excited about the directions it could take in the future.

What are your personal impressions of Bordeaux? How easy/difficult was it for you to find accommodation, was the amount of the scholarship sufficient to cover your living expenses?

Bordeaux left a fantastic impression on me! It’s a beautiful city with a mix of history and modernity, and I loved exploring its streets, parks, and, of course, the wine. The city has a very vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, which made my stay even more enjoyable.

Finding accommodation wasn’t too difficult, but it did take some effort to find something convenient and reasonably priced. Thankfully, I managed to secure a good place, and it worked out well for the duration of my stay.

As for the scholarship, it was sufficient to cover my living expenses comfortably. Bordeaux or France in general is pricey, but with careful planning, I was able to manage everything within the budget. Overall, I feel lucky to have had such a positive experience both professionally and personally during my stay in this amazing city.