Our goal is to translate academic excellence into tangible societal impact. We strive to cultivate the next generation of “game-changers”, visionary scientists for academia, agile problem-solvers for the private sector, and intellectual leaders for a knowledge-driven society. By integrating foundational knowledge with emerging research directions, ethics, and open-science practices, we equip our students to navigate and lead a sustainable future. This commitment to mentorship and quality education has been a cornerstone of our group since its founding.
Academic curriculum:
Our curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical mastery and practical, communicative excellence.
Winter Semester
Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics (141478): Instructor: Serim Ilday. A core theoretical foundation focusing on the mathematical framework and physical intuition required for modern physics.
Master Seminar: Colloidal Photonic Nanomaterials (143061): Instructor: Simon Spelthann. An advanced exploration of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, emphasising current literature and emerging applications.
Summer Semester
Soft Condensed Matter Physics (141479): Instructor: Serim Ilday. An interdisciplinary course covering the physics of polymers, colloids, and liquid crystals, focusing on self-assembly and complex systems.
Master Seminar: The Art of Visualising Scientific Data (143060): Instructor: Simon Spelthann. A practical, skills-based seminar designed to improve scientific literacy by teaching students how to communicate complex data through effective, ethical, and aesthetic visual design.
Continuous mentorship & global outreach:
Beyond the classroom, we foster an environment of continuous learning and professional development:
Bi-weekly Journal Club: A critical forum where group members and students dissect high-impact research, honing their ability to evaluate peer-reviewed work and identify “open-research” gaps.
International Workshops: We organise high-level, focused scientific workshops that bring together global experts to discuss the vanguard of our field.
Guest Seminar Series: We regularly host leading experts for seminars and colloquia, providing our students with direct access to diverse perspectives and world-class expertise.
Beneficiaries of SCL’s undergraduate student research exposure program:
2026
Emre Kayacan, Mathematics, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Alper Demir, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Yağız Kaan Yavuz, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Sema Nur Demirel, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Özyeğin University, Türkiye
2025
Lotti Heathcote, Physics, University of Oxford, UK
Elif Okumuş, Physics & Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Türkiye
Joneyd Moradi, Physics, RUB, Germany
Deniz Can Çağlar, Electrical Engineering & Information Technologies, RUB, Germany
2022
Arda Çınar Demirbaş, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Arda Erkan, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Deniz Ergün, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
2021
Furkan Eşref Yazıcı, Physics, METU, Türkiye
Yusuf Kenan Şafak, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Çağdaş Kılıç, Physics, METU, Türkiye
Meryem Merve Doğan, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Artun Saday, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Zeynep Naz Tuna, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Ahmed Abdullah Abbasi, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Yusuf Özer, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
2020
Danial Vahabli, Physics, METU, Türkiye
Hasaan Ijaz, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Muhammad A. S. Mulkana, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Furkan Yılmaz, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
2019
Muhammed H. Güneş, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Efe Yelesti, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Sercan Hüsnügil, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Zikrulloh Khuzhakulov, Physics, Bilkent University, Türkiye
2018
Süleyman Sıddık Kahraman, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Türkiye
Gülce Kardeş, Physics, METU, Türkiye
Further outreach activities:
ERC Mentoring Series: Within the activities of the Young Academy of Europe, we organised a three-part program focused on proposal writing and interview preparation, specifically designed to increase success rates for applicants from underrepresented groups and widening countries. In addition, we regularly provide ERC mentorship to institutions and individuals.
Interdisciplinary dialogue: As part of the Young Academy of Europe’s activities, we curated the “Arts & Science: Mutual Creativity and Inspiration” webinar series, facilitating discussions on innovation between international artists and scientists.
Science Communication & Public Engagement: We are deeply committed to demystifying complex physics for the general public, from early ages through undergraduate students,high school students to kindergarteners.