Souvik Paul

Souvik Paul is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physics at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, where he leads the Computational Materials Science (CMS) Laboratory established in 2023. His research employs advanced computational techniques to investigate fundamental properties of magnetic materials and topological phenomena.

Education:

• Ph.D. (2015), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
• M.Sc. (2008), Presidency College, Kolkata, India
• B.Sc. (2006), University of Calcutta, India

Dr. Paul's research focuses on computational materials science with particular emphasis on magnetism in two and three dimensions, topological magnetic quasiparticles like skyrmions, surface physics, strongly correlated systems, and multifunctional materials including Heusler alloys. His work primarily utilizes Density Functional Theory (DFT) to predict and explain material properties at the atomic scale, bridging computational predictions with experimental observations through international collaborations.

His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in magnetic skyrmions research, transition metal systems, and Heusler alloys, with significant contributions to understanding spin interactions, stability mechanisms, and electronic properties. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Physical Review Letters, Nature Communications, and npj Computational Materials, demonstrating both theoretical depth and practical relevance to materials design.

Scientific Awards:

• Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (2025) from Anusandhan National Research Foundation
• Departmental Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015), Uppsala University
• Doctoral fellowship (2009), IIT Guwahati
• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (2009), MHRD, India

Dr. Paul actively mentors graduate students including Moinak Ghosh and Bipin Babu. Through the International PhD Program, he has established formal collaborations with Prof. Stefan Heinze at CAU Kiel, Germany, providing students with international research opportunities, access to high-performance computing facilities, and extended research stays at partner institutions. His recently awarded Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant supports innovative work on antiferromagnetic skyrmions.

The Computational Materials Science Laboratory employs Density Functional Theory to investigate structural, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of materials at the atomic level. The lab maintains strong international collaborations with research groups at CAU Kiel and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, focusing on discovering novel materials, explaining fundamental material behaviors, and developing predictive materials theory with applications in electronics and energy technologies.