<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I am writing to express my sincere interest in the position of Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at NICMAR University, Pune. With a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Infrastructure Engineering &amp; Management) from IIT Guwahati and an M.Tech in Structural Engineering (CGPA 9.01/10), I bring a strong foundation in structural analysis, advanced construction materials, and durability assessment, supported by consistent research contributions in high-impact SCI journals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My academic training in Structural Engineering began during my Master&rsquo;s program, where I investigated the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams incorporating ferrochrome slag as coarse aggregate. This early work shaped my interest in understanding how material innovation influences structural performance. During my doctoral research, I expanded this focus to geopolymer concrete systems, studying the interrelationship between material composition, microstructure, strength development, durability, and corrosion behaviour of reinforced concrete. My work bridges structural performance with long-term serviceability&mdash;key aspects in modern structural engineering.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I have published extensively in reputed journals such as <em>Construction and Building Materials</em> and <em>Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering</em>, contributing to knowledge on strength optimization, chloride-induced corrosion resistance, durability against sulfate and acid environment, and performance-based material design. My research directly supports structural safety and sustainability by enhancing the lifespan and resilience of reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In my current role as Assistant Professor at SR University, I teach Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis at the undergraduate level, and Advanced Construction Materials at the postgraduate level. I emphasize analytical rigor, and practical problem-solving through numerical examples, real case studies, and exposure to durability-based design approaches. Presently, I am guiding two full-time PhD scholars with a research topic on the development of geopolymer repair mortar incorporating industrial waste materials. My prior experience as a Senior Project Scientist at IIT Delhi&mdash;working on high-performance concrete for hydraulic structures&mdash;has strengthened my understanding of structural demands in critical infrastructure.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">From a Structural Engineering perspective, I am particularly interested in:</span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Durability-based design and life-cycle performance of reinforced concrete structures</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sustainable and low-carbon structural materials</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Repair and rehabilitation materials for distressed structures</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Corrosion mitigation strategies in aggressive exposure conditions</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At NICMAR University, I aim to contribute by teaching core courses such as Structural Analysis, Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Advanced Concrete Technology, and Durability of Structures. I also intend to develop research initiatives focused on sustainable structural materials and performance-based durability assessment, aligning with the evolving needs of resilient infrastructure development.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I strongly believe that structural engineering education must integrate mechanics, materials science, and sustainability principles. My goal is to mentor students to design not only safe structures but also durable, economical, and environmentally responsible. My commitment lies in implementing outcome-based education, promoting research-driven teaching, and cultivating industry-academia collaboration in structural engineering applications.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">With my academic background from premier institutions, strong publication record, teaching experience, and ongoing research supervision, I am confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to the Structural Engineering discipline at NICMAR University.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I look forward to the opportunity to support the University&rsquo;s mission of academic excellence and industry relevance while advancing research and teaching in Structural Engineering.</span></p>