Ge Li

Postdoctoral researcher at NTNU

What is your background?

I hold a PhD in computational chemistry, where my research focused on homogeneous catalysis and its underlying reaction mechanisms. Before pursuing my doctoral work, I trained as an experimental materials scientist, working with multifunctional and energy-related materials. This combination of experimental and computational experience has given me a broad scientific foundation and the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives.

What inspired you to pursue a career in a science-related field?

Since I was young, I’ve always been curious about how things work and what lies behind the phenomena we observe in everyday life. This curiosity naturally led me toward a career in science. Over time, I became especially fascinated by theoretical studies in chemistry and materials science, where I could explore the fundamental principles that govern reactions, structures, and properties at the molecular level. This desire to understand the world in a deeper and more precise way continues to inspire my work today.

What is your role within the SSLiP project? How do you expect your work will contribute to your career development?

Within the SSLiP project, my main role is to perform molecular dynamics simulations to study friction between patterned surfaces. By exploring how different structural patterns influence interfacial behaviour, I aim to identify designs that can enable or enhance superlubricity. This work strengthens my expertise in computational modelling, surface science, and tribology. It also helps me develop critical thinking skills, learn to interpret complex simulation data, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team. All of these experiences are highly valuable for my long-term career development and will support me in pursuing advanced research roles in materials science and multiscale modelling.

What are the activities in your current position that you find the most interesting?

What I find most interesting in my current position is the close cooperation between theoreticians and experimentalists. It is incredibly rewarding to see how theoretical predictions can guide the design of new structures and patterns, and how experimental colleagues are able to create and test these ideas in practice. When the experimental results confirm the expected performance, it feels like the whole project moves forward in a meaningful way. This synergy between theory and experiment not only accelerates progress but also makes the work more engaging and fulfilling.

Do you have any advice for future professionals in this field?

This is a great career path if you’re fascinated by what happens on very small scales and enjoy uncovering the mechanisms that drive different physical or chemical behaviours. If you are curious, patient, and motivated by understanding complex systems in depth, you will find this field both exciting and rewarding. It’s also a good fit for those who like combining theory, computation, and collaboration with experimental teams to solve challenging scientific problems.