Talayeh Aledavood, Aalto University
"There are many different paths that can lead you to where you want to be."
What have you studied, and what influenced this choice back in the day?
I knew I wanted to study physics as early as sixth grade, when I learned about atoms. I really wanted to learn more about them and understand why they behave the way they do. I studied physics for my bachelor's degree in Iran and continued my studies with a master's degree in Germany. I also had the opportunity to visit and work at CERN, the world's largest physics laboratory. There, I could study exactly what had drawn me to physics in the first place.
How did you end up in your current position?
During my master's studies, I realized that I wanted to work on problems that were more tangible. Particle physics problems felt too abstract, so I ended up doing an internship in sociophysics in Paris. I then spent two more years working at a research laboratory in Paris, where I studied people's behaviour using mobile phone data and applying methods I had learned during my physics studies.
I then moved to Finland to pursue a PhD in computational science, where I studied similar problems. After completing my PhD, I held postdoctoral positions at the University of Helsinki and Georgia Tech in the USA. I then applied for a faculty position at Aalto University, where I have now been working for the past five years.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is interacting with my students and working on research projects together.
What have been the highlights and key lessons of your career?
Sometimes things feel really difficult and challenging, making you want to quit, but they typically get easier after a while.
What are your plans and goals in the future?
To work on research problems that can have a real impact on improving people's lives
What kind of person is suitable for your profession?
Someone curious, persistent and hardworking.
Your greetings for young people in high school deliberating their future career?
I hope you discover what truly drives and motivates you. Sometimes this doesn't come naturally or at a young age, but there are many different paths that can lead you to a particular position. Don't worry if you haven't yet figured out what excites you or what you want to do in the future. Take it one step at a time!