PhD Abroad Ep.1 | India to Germany | Real Talk on Research Life & Adapting Abroad

What happens when years of intense research finally begin to show results? In this inspiring conversation, Siddardha Chelluri, a PhD student from Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz in quantum networks and error correction, opens up about his transformative journey from particle physics to quantum information, and from India to Germany.


In this episode, Siddhu reflects on:
🌌 His emotional closing chapter as a PhD researcher
🔬 How he transitioned across disciplines to explore the quantum world
🌍 The cultural shift from India to Germany — and what helped him adapt
💼 Choosing between academia and industry in today’s quantum landscape
🧠 Personal growth, collaboration, and starting a science blog to simplify complex ideas
🎯 His upcoming move into the quantum industry and lessons learned along the way

You’ll also enjoy a fun rapid-fire round that reveals his lighter side — from German habits to Indian nostalgia.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply curious about how science, culture, and personal growth intertwine, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and relatable moments from the PhD life.

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating the PhD Journey
03:47 Research Evolution and Topic Selection
10:21 Collaborative Research
13:06 Publishing Papers
16:47 Masters in Germany
19:56 Cultural Adaptation and Bureaucracy
26:04 Funding PhD
27:34 Balancing Life and Research During PhD
28:38 Internships and Industry Experience
31:07 Research in Industry vs Academia
33:49 Future Plans and Career Path
34:44 Next Chapter in Life - Post PhD
35:34 Science Communication - Blogpost
39:03 Job Market Insights in Quantum Tech


📬 Check out Siddhu’s science blog to demystify complex concepts and get exclusive updates: Link in the Comment section below👇


💬 Join the conversation!
What part of Siddhu’s story resonated with you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear your perspective!

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