Matěj Mašín

Tell us something about yourself:

My name is Matěj, I am a PhD student in the Energy and Fuels programme, and I am also active in areas such as the Academic Senate and the BesTeas tea society, which I founded together with my colleagues. In my research, I focus on mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen, specifically on their fire-safety characteristics.

What do you like most about working as a scientist?

Probably the variety of topics and problems I can work on. The days are not monotonous, the research does move forward from time to time, and with it, our broader understanding as a society moves forward as well.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement(s) so far?

I really do not like talking about this topic. To me, prizes and awards are more of a side issue and are not something I find particularly fulfilling in themselves. I would probably consider my greatest achievement to be how far I have come at UCT Prague and how much I have developed, both as a scientist and as a person.

Why did you choose science over the commercial sector?

That is a very difficult question, and one I still ask myself from time to time. UCT Prague feels like a second home to me. I have many friends here, I find the activities around the university fulfilling, and I enjoy the research I am doing. UCT Prague has given me a great deal, and I feel that during my PhD I now have the opportunity to give something back and, in a way, complete the cycle.

What would you say to those who are thinking about doing a PhD at UCT Prague?

A good supervisor is half the battle. The other half is your own drive to see it through to the end. If you have good chemistry with your supervisor and you are on the same wavelength, it will make things much easier. It is also definitely worth finding out whether a PhD is actually necessary for what you want to do later in life.

A PhD is often a very individual journey. What helps you most to stay motivated when something has not been working for a long time?

I set myself small goals that I know are achievable. That helps me stay internally motivated because I can see that I am still making progress. Frustration does come from time to time, and when it does, the best thing is usually to pack up, leave the university, and switch off somewhere else for the rest of the day.