Looking for PhD students

I'm an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University. I graduated from Tomsk Polytechnic University in 2013 with PhD in Physics (Charged particle beams’ physics and acceleration techniques).

My research activity at Nazarbayev University has been focused on iNURA (Nazarbayev University’s Research Accelerator) pulsed ion accelerator laboratory establishment.

iNURA was developed in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA) and Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia). I served as the lead NU specialist during iNURA’s development (2015–2019).

As the supervisor of the iNURA accelerator, I am developing a research program exploring:

• Nanosecond ion beam applications for nanomaterials modification

• Radiation tolerance of advanced materials and devices investigation

• Fundamental studies of pulsed ion beam generation

We welcome motivated PhD students with backgrounds in physics, materials science, or related fields who are eager to work at the intersection of accelerator physics, nanotechnology, and radiation effects.

If you are interested in joining our research team, please contact me at [email protected] with your CV and a brief statement of research interests.

Current projects:

• (Principal Investigator - Marat Kaikanov): Grant AP26195015 "Synthesis of bismuth vanadate coatings and modification of their photocatalytic properties using an intense pulsed ion beam" by MSHE of RK, 2025-2027
• (Principal Investigators: Dr. Marat Kaikanov and Dr. Timur Atabaev): PTF BR28712489 "Development of photocatalytic systems for wastewater treatment with subsequent generation of green hydrogen based on renewable energy sources" by MSHE of RK, 2025-2027

• Experience in Leading projects:

1. Principle investigator (PI) of «Investigation of pulsed-beam modification of titanium dioxide based coatings for photoelectrochemical water splitting» MSHE RK project (2022-2024)
2. PI of “Synthesis of tungsten trioxide based coatings and their photocatalytic properties modification with pulsed high-current ion beam” MSHE RK grant (2023-2025).
3. PI of «Intense pulsed ion beam neutralization by volumetric plasma» NU-ORAU project (2019-2021)
4. PI of «Pulsed ion beam modification of silver nanowires based transparent conducting films» MSHE RK project (2018-2020).
5. Co-Principle investigator (Co-PI) of «Unraveling Photoelectric Processes and Efficiency Limitations in Novel Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells» NU – FDCRP project (2022-2024), PI- prof. Viktor Brus
6. Co-PI of «Pulsed plasma-chemical synthesis of new generation TiO2 photo catalysts» MSHE RK project (2018-2020)
7. Co-PI of “Plasma source for intense pulsed ion beam neutralization” NU small-grant (2018-2020)

• Member of Research Group:

1. Research group member of «Surface modification of 2D-TiO2 composite thin films using an intense pulsed ion beam irradiation for enhanced photoelectrochemical activity» NU – FDCRP project (2023-2025), PI- prof. Timur Atabaev, chemistry department
2. Research group member of «Ionizing radiation effect on structural, photoelectric and superconducting properties of next-generation optoelectronic devices» NU – CRP project (2022-2024), PI- prof. Viktor Brus, physics department

Teaching Experience:

PHYS162 – “Electricity and Magnetism” – lectures, recitations

PHY161 – “Mechanics and Thermodynamics” – Lectures, recitations and lab sessions

PHYS530/730 – “Solid State Physics” – lab sessions

PHYS465/565 “Advanced Experimental Physics”