Jasper's day
Jasper Knoester is the dean of the Faculty of Science. How is he doing, what exactly does he do and what does his day look like? In each newsletter, Jasper gives an insight into his life.
I really like the tradition of PhD students taking visitors out for lunch.
Wednesday 12 March 2025
'It’s quarter past seven when I get up. I’ve been awake for a while, thanks to the jet lag that unexpectedly hit me last night after all. I’ve been in the United States since Saturday. My first visit today is to a colleague at the University of Chicago and a former PhD student who is now an assistant professor at Northwestern University. It’s good to catch up—both about work and personal matters. On Monday evening, I drove with a university friend to West Lafayette, two and a half hours south of Chicago. This city is home to Purdue University. I’ll be here until Saturday, staying with my colleague Libai Huang and her family. It’s a great way to visit—so much nicer than spending a week in a hotel.
This morning, I have breakfast with Libai and her seven-year-old daughter, Sofia. Afterwards, I quickly review the lecture I’ll be giving today at Physical Chemistry. I’ll have to do my best not to let my lack of sleep show, but I know from experience that it usually works out fine. On the way to the university, we first drop Sofia off at the school bus—a charming hallmark of the American school system.
At the office, I discuss some recent developments with Libai before my seminar starts at half past ten. The topic: optical excitations and energy transport in large clusters of molecules (molecular aggregates). The room is well-filled with an engaged audience. I encourage them to ask questions, and they make full use of the opportunity. My talk fits well with Purdue University’s interest in quantum effects—particularly the part on localisation and quantum transport is well received.
Because of the many questions, I don’t manage to get to the last quarter of my talk. A quick solution is found: they invite me to give another seminar tomorrow for the recently DOE-funded (Department of Energy) major programme on Quantum Photonics, led by Libai. Of course, I’m pleased with the enthusiasm, but it does mean I have some work to do tonight to expand that last section into a full seminar.
After the seminar, I have lunch with five PhD students at the local hospitality school. Excellent food and great company. We talk about all sorts of things—of course, about their research, but also about the teaching they do, the courses they themselves have to take, life in West Lafayette, working as a dean, hobbies, and even pets. I really like the tradition of PhD students taking visitors out for lunch.
The afternoon is fully packed with meetings with staff from Physical Chemistry. There are still some questions about my seminar, but above all, it’s interesting to hear about their work. Tomorrow will be part two of this round, which is quite intense—it almost feels like I’m on a job interview. At the end of the afternoon, I meet up with Libai, and we go out for dinner in Lafayette with three colleagues. Another lively discussion follows, partly about which topic should be the focus for recruiting a new tenure-track position in the coming years. Strategy over dinner—it’s great fun to take part in.
After dinner, I’m immediately claimed by Sofia, who insists we sing songs and build a house out of construction toys. Then, I turn my attention to tomorrow’s seminar. I’ve been asked to set it up like a tutorial, which is actually quite convenient—it allows me to use a whiteboard instead of having to put too many formulas on slides. Once I’m satisfied with the preparation, I chat with Libai for a while, then sit down to write this column. By now, I’m properly exhausted—the day has been long and intense—and I hope I’ll sleep through the night. As I switch off the light, I hear the distinctive horn of an American freight train in the distance. The country may have become a strange place in recent times, but the familiarity of these little American things remains enjoyable.'