Joy Mitra

Professor Joy Mitra is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Physics at the School of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Trivandrum, Kerala, India. She has served as Professor since December 2022, having previously held positions as Associate Professor (June 2017 - December 2022) and Assistant Professor (May 2010 - May 2017) at the same institution. She also maintains a Visiting Research Professor position at the International Research Centre for Experimental Physics, Queen's University Belfast, UK since 2015.

Professor Mitra received her academic training at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where she earned her PhD in Physics in 2005 and MS in Physics in 1999. Her undergraduate education was completed at Presidency College, Calcutta, where she graduated with a BSc (Physics Honours) in 1996.

Her research focuses on the intersection of nanophotonics, plasmonics, and 2D materials, with particular expertise in scanning probe microscopy techniques. Professor Mitra's work explores light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, electrical plasmonics, exciton physics in 2D systems, and noise spectroscopy. Her group investigates phenomena such as STM light emission, Schottky junction devices for hydrogen sensing, and the optoelectronic properties of materials like ZnO and transition metal dichalcogenides. She has made significant contributions to understanding epsilon near zero systems and their applications in infrared photonics and sensing technologies.

An analysis of Professor Mitra's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on epsilon near zero materials and their applications in photonics and sensing. Her work spans fundamental studies of light-matter interactions in 2D materials to practical applications in hydrogen sensing and optoelectronic devices. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward understanding and manipulating nanoscale optical phenomena for technological applications, with particular focus on plasmonics, 2D materials engineering, and novel sensor development.

• Invited to deliver the prestigious Raja Ramanna Lecture (2025) at JNCASR
• SPARC-UKIERI grant for Functionalizing next-gen 2D materials using Ion Irradiation (2024-2026)
• SERB-CRG grant for exploring extreme light-matter interactions in epsilon near zero regime (2024-2027)
• STARS Grant for investigating Excitons in TMDC (2023-2025)
• Multiple student awards including EPS-QEOD Best Student Presentation Award (2025)

Professor Mitra has successfully mentored numerous PhD and Master's students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral positions and faculty roles. Her research program is supported by multiple grants from SERB, DST, UKIERI, and other funding agencies, totaling millions of rupees. She has established strong international collaborations with institutions in the UK, Poland, and the US, facilitating student exchanges and joint research projects focused on advanced materials characterization and development.

Her research group, the Joy Group, maintains state-of-the-art facilities for scanning probe microscopy, optical characterization, and nanomaterials synthesis. The group actively collaborates with researchers across India and internationally, contributing to the advancement of nanophotonics, 2D materials science, and sensor technology.