Biography
Prof. Kuruvilla Joseph is a Distinguished Professor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.
A chemist and materials scientist, his work spans polymer blends and composites, nanomaterials, renewable-resource polymers and biosensors. He connects material synthesis and processing with functional performance, sustainability and applications.
His academic career began at St. Berchmans’ College, Changanacherry. He joined IIST in 2007 and has held departmental and senior institutional leadership appointments alongside an active research and teaching career.
Doctoral research at CSIR–NIIST and Mahatma Gandhi University, followed by postdoctoral research in Brazil and Sweden, established an international foundation for his work in composites and advanced materials.
IIST faculty profile
Current academic profile
- Current appointments
- Distinguished Professor
Pro-Vice Chancellor - Institution
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
- Academic discipline
- Chemistry & Materials Science
- Professional fellowships
- FRSC · FASI · Honorary Fellow, ISAS
Academic appointments
| Period | Appointment | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2025–present | Pro-Vice Chancellor & Distinguished Professor Pro-Vice Chancellor since July 2025; Distinguished Professor since September 2025. | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology |
| Former appointment | Dean (Academics) Academic leadership, curriculum development and institutional quality assurance. | IIST |
| Former appointment | Registrar Senior institutional leadership and academic administration. | IIST |
| 2020–2025 | Outstanding Professor Advanced materials research, teaching and academic leadership. | IIST |
| 2015–2020 | Senior Professor; Dean Research, doctoral supervision and academic responsibilities. | IIST |
| 2007–2015 | Professor; Head of Chemistry Chemistry teaching and research during the institute’s formative years. | IIST |
| 1993–2007 | Lecturer & Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and materials research. | St. Berchmans’ College, Changanacherry |
Doctoral & postdoctoral research
PhD
CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with the School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Swedish Institute of Composites (SICOMP), Sweden.
Research & scholarship
Citations
h-index
Edited books
Granted patents
His research encompasses patented nanomaterial sensing platforms, edited scientific reference works and the supervision of 22 doctoral graduates.