Tallinn University of Technology professor Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk divides her time between several roles, being the director of the Institute of Environmental Materials and Technologies, as well as a leading researcher in her field. Her professional choice was driven by a great figure in the world of science. “One of the reasons I went to study physics was to read Marie Curie’s biography in the first place,” the professor said.
Furthermore, Grossberg-Kuuse’s role model is her doctoral thesis supervisor, Professor Jüri Krustok, who played an important role in her becoming a scientist. “If my instructor had been someone else, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten into science,” she said. In his opinion, an excellent teacher opens up the world of science in a way that motivates and arouses interest. Furthermore, the role of the instructor is to provide the skills to face this world.
At Tallinn University of Technology, the Grossberg-Kuuse research group studies and develops various materials and their production technologies for solar energy applications. He points out that solar panels can be purchased in stores for decades. However, they are based on old, proven technologies, such as silicon. “However, we and our group are already developing the next generation of solar panels, which have better properties, enable various applications and are more environmentally friendly,” he said.
Maarja Grossberg Author/source: Anna Aurelia Minev/ERR
Contributes to work and science with a sense of mission
Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk describes her research group as quite large and relatively young. “We lived through the phase in which the leaders of the older generation left, and if sometimes it is a painful phase, fortunately for us it went painlessly,” the professor said. You explained that in some research groups, where young researchers are not allowed to reach higher positions, this can lead to abandonment and is also one of the sore points of scientific life. “However, I am sure that our research group will be able to work together and develop for quite a long time,” Grossberg-Kuusk said.
He is also satisfied with the success of the work in which the research group has distinguished itself. This research has become the focus of further developments in unique solar cell technology that increase their efficiency.
“This year the world record for solar cells based on a new generation of environmentally friendly shellite is in our hands. This means that our solar cell is currently the most capable of converting solar radiation into electrical energy,” explained Grossberg- Kuusk. She added that in general their solar cells can convert a third of the light that falls on them into usable energy. Her research team arrived at 12%. It’s a result to be happy about, but according to him there is still a lot of work to do.
Grossberg-Kuusk pointed out that one of the most common misconceptions is that there isn’t enough sun in Estonia to make building solar parks worthwhile. “Actually, we still have enough sun for most of the year for solar panels to work. Yes, we have those few winter months where productivity is really low, but there are also solutions being developed for that, especially energy solutions. storage,” he said.
“When it’s sunny and cold in winter, the solar panel works better: the colder it is, the better it works.”
The professor underlined how, by asking for feedback from those who have built solar parks, they are largely satisfied with the fact that the investment has been made. It is certainly not an ideal solution, but it is a way to produce electricity in a more ecological and green way for much of the year. It is also a myth that solar panels do not work in winter. “When it’s sunny and cold in winter, the solar panel works better: the cooler it is, the better it works,” he said.
An example from other countries
Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk has worked in several European research laboratories: in Germany, Spain, Finland and Poland. In her field, Germany has attracted the most attention, and should be followed as an example. ‘Their research capacity and their groups are really at the highest levels in Europe in this field. Furthermore, they have a relatively clear, although not ideal, career system,’ explained the professor.
He added that in addition to stability, the researcher must be clear about his career opportunities and how to move somewhere. “What I like about the German system is that the focus is on the content, not on inserting numbers from above: it allows the researcher to focus on what is important,” he said. According to his preferences, he also likes the calm and attitude of the Spaniards. “It seems to me that there is less constant rushing. They take things much more calmly, which doesn’t mean they work less,” Grossberg-Kuusk said. She also underlined that the Spaniards can be an example, because they are people who appreciate the time spent together, and this, apparently, also encourages team research.
A doctorate is also useful in the job market
Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk is also a university lecturer in addition to her management and research work at the institute. “Above all, my heart is to do something in my field and ensure that the field moves forward and develops and continues to study the field,” she said. Being useful on every front is the natural course of things for him and part of the mission.
“Unfortunately we often see that the system does not support, especially in terms of income, the choice of young people to undertake a career as a researcher.”
While teaching master’s students at the university, he sees that most of them are not interested in pursuing doctoral studies and prefer to leave academia and enter the job market. “Unfortunately we often see that the system does not support, especially in terms of income, the choice of young people to undertake a research career,” said the professor.
In the academic world, scientists are waiting for their children, and it is above all a shame to send people who would be well suited to the world of science to other sectors. Since the balance at a social level is currently oriented towards applicability and rapid results, he sees room for development in a better presentation of career opportunities for young researchers, which it would be right for young people to know about when making future choices. In addition to the yearly increasing income of a junior doctoral student-researcher, the doctoral program offers excellent opportunities to broaden your horizons and establish contacts outside of Estonia.
The professor emphasizes that the goal of the doctoral program is to train an independent researcher. So it is a mistake to think that all doctors should remain only in the academic landscape, but they are specialists of the highest level in their field. For example, the industrial and public administration sectors, in his opinion, need highly qualified, independent managers with extensive knowledge. “The industry also benefits if a person with a doctorate is a leader who can drive innovation in the industry,” Grossberg-Kuusk said.
The complex choices of a scientist
As a researcher, there are also situations where, even when working in a team, the researcher does not want to put his tasks on the shoulders of his colleagues. “One thing I regret is not taking time off when my second child was born out of a sense of duty,” the professor said. The project manager’s workload remained even during the child’s leave. “Due to several unpleasant events in my private life, I should have acted differently so as not to harm myself – I would not recommend this situation to anyone,” Grossberg-Kuusk said.
Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk has worked in several European research laboratories: Germany, Spain, Finland and Poland Author/source: TTU
He later shared his experience with all his colleagues on parental leave, so that they can at least avoid this mistake. “I could have abdicated my responsibilities for that period, but it was a time when there were so many things happening at the same time in our research group,” she explained.
The professor underlines that in reality such situations should not happen, but sometimes it is very difficult to be a woman and a scientist at the same time, and often the failure to reconcile family life and work life is fatal, especially for women. “This is probably also why in Estonia there are relatively many women with doctorates, but after that only a handful of professors,” she said.
Stress is averted by rock music and time spent with family
“Family is definitely the most important thing for me and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second if I had to choose between work and family.”
Maarja Grossberg-Kuusk calls her loved ones the most important thing in her life. “Family is definitely the most important thing for me and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second if I had to choose between work and family,” she said. The professor added that conscientiousness pushes him to contribute to both, for better or for worse, if things are working at the moment. “My family and I practically live in our home environment, we live outside the city, where there is enough work to do and the opportunity to spend time outdoors. Dinners together and time spent with dear friends are the more valuable,” he said.
For Grossberg-Kuuse, grounded rock music is what he turns to when he needs to unplug. From his headphones you can hear Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Linkin Park. “I used to really like drawing, but I forgot it. However, my eldest daughter is an art enthusiast and she draws very well, so it is possible that she will take my hobby as a real vocation,” said Professor .
2024-01-08 10:11:00
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