Prospective PhD Students

Information for Prospective PhD Students

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At the BRAIN Lab at IITM, we welcome motivated students with open minds and strong work ethics. Our team members support each other professionally and personally, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. The idea is to put a group of good kindhearted individuals together in a harassment-free environment that nurtures free thinking and hope that they will shine and become “their best versions”. Everyone is creative; all students have some form of intelligence. We believe PhD students develop into independent researchers when they take ownership of their work from day one. While high-quality feedback and guidance is always available, we encourage students to drive their own research questions and approaches, with the advisor serving as a mentor and collaborator rather than a director. This means students have near-infinite freedom.

We strongly believe that students who are responsible thrive with freedom and truly deserve that freedom.

Our lab culture encourages honest, constructive feedback between all members—including the PI. We believe that rigorous peer review within the lab leads to stronger science and better publications. Everyone’s perspective is valued, regardless of their position in the academic hierarchy. (Example: Swarnab’s unique paper in the niche journal Neuropsychologia. The presentation of results in this manuscript significantly improved after a particularly polemical lab meeting.)

Some Numbers (for reference)

Item	Metric
Publications (+Patents) in the last 5 years	30 + 2 (Mostly Q1 & Q2 journals)
Publications currently under consideration	6
Student achievements that we are proud of: We are proud of all our students and all their achievements no matter how small, but here are some metrics just so others can see them:
Students who received Best PhD thesis award	1
Students who went on International exchange	1
Students who won Prime Ministers' Research Fellowship (PMRF)	3

We prioritize publication quality over quantity, focusing on thorough and rigorous studies that advance the broad fields of Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Movement Neuroscience.

Our track record includes publications in high-quality journals, spread over several disciplines (See publications). We believe in quietly pushing the boundaries by focusing fully on what we do well: rigorous, no-nonsense, old school, experimental neuroscience and rehab tech. We train ourselves in topics we are not well-versed with. We add value to ourselves in multiple dimensions in this thriving environment while making sure we remain grounded.

Current Research Projects

Our research at the BRAIN Lab explores the fascinating intersection of movement control and innovative rehabilitation therapeutic devices for neuromotor disorders. While we encourage students to bring their own research questions that we can contribute to, we currently have exciting opportunities in:

Assistive Devices for Brachial Plexus Injuries: Is Brachial Plexus Injury the Cinderella of upper limb disorders? In this complex pathophysiology, individuals can have devastating sensory and motor deficits. India is the road accident capital of the world. Motorcycle accidents often result in traumatic Brachial Plexus injuries (tBPI), sometimes paralysing one side of the body, especially the upper limb. Our lab will invest dedicated time and effort to address this India specific problem, to produce world class solutions, however, focusing on the local needs. Our objective is to build assistive devices to help improve the quality of life for these patients. These Ph.D. projects are at the cusp of electrical (control system) engineering, mechanical (design) engineering and biomedical engineering and clinical science. We are looking for at least 2 students to join our team from July 2026 semester onwards. Interested students can apply to the Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering department and choose the “Biomedical Engineering” group in application options. We are also looking to recruit students through the Three Institute Joint Degree (BMD) Program in collaboration with CMC Vellore. A formal application to these programs is absolutely required and getting selected in the respective interview process in either of these programs is required to be considered for these positions.

Our approach leverages our extensive experience in human experimentation for motor control, including precise fingertip force measurements, sophisticated kinematic analysis, and EEG recording to understand both the mechanical and neural aspects of movement. (See facilities)

Apply here: https://research.iitm.ac.in

Schedule Expectations & Work-Life Balance

While we don't maintain rigid work schedules, students typically invest time in the lab during daytime hours to maximize collaborative opportunities with both the advisor and fellow lab members.
We maintain night-time lab curfew hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM to promote healthy sleep habits—recognizing that rest, refreshment, and recharging are essential for creative scientific thinking and productive experiments.
Students manage their own schedules and are encouraged to maintain work-life balance, including engaging in activities outside the lab that bring them joy and perspective. Successful PhD students naturally prioritize research among their top professional commitments.

Publication Expectations (Minimum)

We don't impose strict publication targets beyond the institute-mandated minimum of one article in a Scopus-listed journal. This is a deliberate shift from our earlier policy, informed by student feedback. We believe students should focus on publishing high-quality work in Q1/Q2 journals (with exceptions for niche journals) at a pace that serves their growth and career goals

Alumni Feedback

Being the first student of the Neuromechanics Lab at IIT Madras was an invaluable experience that shaped my research journey. From the ground up, I was involved in setting up the lab, gaining hands-on experience in designing experiments, troubleshooting equipment, and establishing research protocols. This experience gave me a strong foundation for conducting high-quality, innovative, ethical, and scientific research. I thank my research advisor, Dr SKM Varadhan sir for providing such a platform for me. Throughout my time in the lab, I was trained in designing and executing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and ensuring that our work met the highest scientific standards. I had the opportunity to work on innovative projects, pushing the boundaries of neuroscience and biomechanics (neuromechanics) research while collaborating with experts in the field. The lab fostered a culture of intellectual curiosity, precision, and integrity, allowing me to develop skills essential for independent research and scientific publication.

Dhanush (PhD, 2019)
Currently at VIT, Chennai

While my specialization was in Neuromechanics, my time in the lab taught me far more than just technical skills. It shaped me as a researcher and as a person. The lab environment instilled in me perseverance, self-confidence, and a never-give-up attitude. I learned to embrace mistakes as stepping stones to success and to keep refining my work until I achieved my goals. I was fortunate to have a mentor who not only provided guidance but also gave me the freedom to explore my ideas and think critically. This autonomy pushed me to take ownership of my work, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and develop resilience in the face of challenges. The collaborative environment, access to cutting-edge research, and the opportunity to work alongside talented peers made my PhD journey truly enriching.

Banuvathy (PhD, 2022)

Pursuing my PhD at the Neuromechanics Lab, IIT Madras, in collaboration with CMC Vellore, has been a valuable experience both academically and personally. This interdisciplinary environment allowed me to combine clinical insights with technological advancements in rehabilitation engineering and motor control. Under the mentorship of Dr. S.K.M. Varadhan, I had the opportunity to explore complex research questions in neuroscience and rehabilitation engineering. The lab fostered a culture of collaboration and open discussions, leading to meaningful research outcomes. Access to advanced equipment and computational tools here is a major strength for researchers. Beyond research, this journey has contributed to my personal and professional growth. The challenges I faced helped build resilience, independence, and adaptability. The mentorship from faculty, support from lab members, and exposure to diverse projects provided a well-rounded learning experience.

Ann David (PhD, 2022)
Currently with Thryv Rehab Solutions

My time at the Neuromechanics lab during my Ph.D. was truly unforgettable. What I loved most was the stress-free and supportive environment. I never felt pressured about work or deadlines and had the freedom to explore my interests. In addition to research, we engaged in meaningful discussions about publication quality, ethics, personal finance, and teamwork, which greatly enriched my experience. The lab felt like a second home, especially during the challenging lockdown period. I will never forget the regular tea breaks we had with the professor. The lab is well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology for human movement tracking and analysis. I learned so much technically, exploring fascinating areas such as conducting human experimental trials, machine learning, embedded systems, biomechanics, neuroscience, and human motion tracking. I was also given the opportunity to manage and create content on the NPTEL platform, which significantly influenced my teaching and learning career.

Prajwal Shenoy (PhD, 2024)
Currently at MIT, Manipal

My PhD journey at the Neuromechanics Lab, IIT Madras, was truly transformative. When I joined, I expressed interest in pursuing an exchange opportunity or a joint PhD program. Prof. Varadhan not only listened but actively worked to find the right collaboration. This led to my PhD being converted into an IITM-NTU Joint PhD, allowing me to work in both Singapore and India—an experience that shaped me academically and personally. Both Prof. Varadhan and Prof. Domenico were exceptional mentors—supportive, encouraging, and always expecting the best from me. Their high expectations pushed me to improve, helping me grow as both a researcher and an independent thinker. Rather than handing me solutions, they guided me toward problem-solving, fostering the mindset a PhD is meant to develop. Prof. Varadhan has always been approachable and willing to help whenever I encountered challenges, despite his busy schedule. His constructive feedback and personalized mentorship approach ensured students received the guidance best suited to them. He also fostered a collaborative lab environment where students openly discussed and supported each other's research. My PhD was more than just research—it was a journey of growth. I'm deeply grateful for the mentorship and opportunities I received and highly recommend this lab to any aspiring researcher.

Rakhi Agarwal (PhD, 2024)

My PhD journey at the Neuromechanics Lab (NML) was truly memorable. One of the most impressive aspects of the lab was its strong work ethic and structured approach to scientific research. The lab nurtured an environment of intellectual freedom, allowing me to choose my own research questions. Our professor never spoon-fed us but was always there in the background, guiding and supporting us. He allowed us to make mistakes and learn from them, stepping in only when necessary to prevent major errors. As an experimentalist lab, we worked extensively with a diverse population, from young individuals to older adults, and sometimes even patients. This required rigorous training in proper experimental protocols, ethical considerations, and handling state-of-the-art equipment. Throughout my PhD, I significantly improved my skills in manuscript writing, scientific communication, and data presentation. Our professor not only guided us but also coached us in presenting our results in a well-structured manner, ensuring our manuscripts met high-quality standards.

B. Eswari (PhD, 2025)
Currently Post-Doc at IIT Madras

I joined the Neuromechanics Lab during my Interdisciplinary MS program. The research, the lab culture, and—above all—the guidance of Dr. Varadhan SKM motivated me to continue into a PhD. My experience in the lab has been deeply transformative, both professionally and personally. It was an environment where curiosity was encouraged, challenges were seen as opportunities, and mistakes were treated as an essential part of learning. I’m sincerely grateful for Prof. Varadhan’s thoughtful and multifaceted mentorship. His support helped me grow not only as a researcher but also in teaching, team management, and handling responsibilities with confidence. The friendships I formed in the lab were equally meaningful. They brought encouragement during demanding phases and made everyday work enjoyable. The Neuromechanics Lab has shaped my career in lasting ways, and it will continue to remain a cornerstone of my journey.

Vignesh Sompur (PhD, 2025)
Currently Post-Doc at Clemson University, US

In my years at the Brain Lab (formerly the Neuromechanics Lab) for my dual degree (MS + PhD), the experience I have gained has been incredibly enriching and a truly transformative one. I would like to sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Varadhan SKM, for his unwavering faith in me and for providing the freedom, guidance, and mentorship that has fostered my development as a researcher. Under his supervision, I have learnt the art and science of conducting experiments and got introduced to the fascinating field of neuroscience and motor control. The lab’s culture encouraged me to engage deeply with difficult questions, cultivating my curiosity and the ability to think critically rather than simply being fed answers. His trust, insightful feedback, and steadfast support have been pivotal in shaping my approach to research, helping me gain confidence as an independent thinker and laying a lasting foundation for my scientific career and personal growth.

Swarnab Dutta (PhD, 2025)
Incoming Post-Doc at University of Giessen

My journey with the BRAIN Lab has been truly transformative and enriching. One of the highlights was the Neuroscience of Human Movement course, where the collective expertise of the TAs, the discussion sessions and close guidance from my supervisor created the best learning environment. The course helped me connect the physiological principles to the experimental findings I observed later in my research, greatly strengthening my scientific reasoning. I am always grateful to my supervisor, whose support has been unwavering throughout my PhD. Especially during my comprehensive examination, he ensured that I was emotionally and academically stable enough to face the challenge with confidence. His constructive criticism, thoughtful feedback, and continuous encouragement have shaped not only my research skills but also my personal growth. The self-confidence I carry today is a direct result of his mentorship and the supportive atmosphere within the lab. I am truly thankful for the opportunities, guidance, and meaningful academic community I found here. BRAIN LAB (former Neuro-mechanics (NML) lab) has played a pivotal role in my development as a researcher and as an individual.

Monisha Yuvaraj (PhD, 2025)
Currently Post-Doc at CMC Vellore