Dr. Aravind Puthirath Balan is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Materials Science & NanoEngineering at Rice University, with a strong focus on semiconductor-relevant materials and device-oriented research. He began this role in August 2025 following his postdoctoral work at the Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany.

His expertise lies at the intersection of experimental condensed matter physics, advanced materials, and semiconductor process-relevant systems, with particular emphasis on 2D materials, thin films, and magnetic functionalities. His research spans van der Waals systems and emerging non-layered two-dimensional materials, with relevance to next-generation nanoelectronic and spintronic devices.

Dr. Balan has extensive experience in materials synthesis, characterization, and process-driven research, positioning him well for semiconductor R&D and process engineering roles. His work aligns with industry priorities in scalable materials development, device integration, and functional property optimization.

He has been recognized with several prestigious fellowships, including the Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship and the EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, along with the Raman Postdoctoral Fellowship, UGC INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, and SERB National Postdoctoral Fellowship.

At Rice University, he continues to advance the understanding of magnetic 2D materials while exploring their translation toward practical applications in nanoelectronics, spintronics, and emerging semiconductor technologies.

2021-2025
Prof. Mathias Kläui
(Postdoc. Supervisor)
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

2019-2021
Prof. Rahul R. Nair
(Postdoc. Supervisor)
The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

2017 (2 months)
Prof. Manfred Albrecht  
(Exch. visit Supervisor)
University of Augsburg, Germany

2016-2017   
Prof. Pulickel M. Ajayan
(Exch. visit Supervisor)
Rice University, Houston, United States

2013-2019
Prof. M. R. Anantharaman
(Ph.D. Supervisor)
Cochin University of Science and Technology, India 

Education

Ph.D. (March  2014 - July 2019)

Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India