Connecting Industry and Researchers  – what a PhD graduate learned from our recent GRADnet networking event at Surrey.

On the 9th of June 2016, GRADnet held the fifth in a series of “Meet the Employers” events in which Physics and Astronomy Postgraduates and Researchers meet with regional and national employers.

The recent Surrey event was a great occasion to hear about a wide array of opportunities in physics-related industries – from medical diagnostics to satellite systems – and to get invaluable advice from employers.  There are many R&D roles in industry where a company needs problems solved eg product design, creating innovative methods of quality testing etc. Companies need people who can develop analysis techniques to make sense of data and physics postgraduates can offer these skills.

Employers don’t necessarily expect you to have the expertise required for a specific job role. They need people able to research new techniques, to be curious and flexible and to learn fast – familiar territory for postgraduate researchers who have to cope with fast-paced, unpredictable situations during their PhD. Employers want good problem-solvers.  They want to know what challenges you have overcome during your PhD and what you have gained – both technical knowledge and skills.  Perseverance and resilience are highly valued.

Student and employer exchanging contact information.

In applied physics, the word ‘engineer’ is often used in a job description but physicists should not be discouraged from applying – it is likely you already have the skills required!  It is really important to find out what are you passionate about because enthusiasm and passion will shine through any role you choose.  Talking to experts from the field can help you to identify ‘what makes you tick’.

The event was a great success and we’re now planning the next one at the University of Hertfordshire on October 19th.

Connecting Industry and Researchers in Physics – employers and physics PhDs meet at Kent to share ideas on joint working

SEPnet’s Graduate Network (GRADnet) recently held its 4^th networking evening to facilitate greater collaboration between industry and physics postgraduate researchers.

Panellists including Simon Campbell of Selex ES, Phil Edwards of Weald Technology, Julie Barry of RIFT Research & Development and Jim Telfer of Hilger Crystals shared their views and advice on what physics graduates can offer businesses, what skills industry needs and what opportunities are available to physics PhDs.   Students then networked with employers to explore potential jobs, research work or industry mentoring support.

SEPnet helps students develop their employability skills in a number of ways and, during the evening, Greg Smith, physics PhD student at Kent, showed his video describing an investigation he would like to send into space. Greg’s video won him a week at the Yuri Gagarin Training Centre in Russia, sponsored jointly by Kent and SEPnet.  The training week will offer Greg the chance to enhance his leadership, team building and communication skills.  You can view Greg’s video here:   Greg Smith, University of Kent – A solution to showering in space.

Our 5^th networking event takes place at Surrey on 9 June.  To book a free place, email gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk

Connecting Industry and Researchers in Physics

A South East Physics Network (SEPnet) Event

SEPnet’s Graduate Network (GRADnet) is organising its 4^th networking evening to facilitate greater collaboration and links between industry and physics postgraduate research students (PGRs) and researchers. We anticipate approximately 60 employers, physics PhD students and academics attending this event.

 Who should attend

• SEPnet PGR students who want to meet small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and employers from physics-related industries to find out about career opportunities, make contacts and explore research and business ideas
• SEPnet partner researchers who want to build links with industry to explore how their research can create impact
• SMEs, businesses and employers in physics-related industries.

During the evening:

• Hear from panellists including: Julie Barry, Head of R&D, RIFT Research & Development, Simon Campbell, Head of Systems Engineering, Selex ES; Iain Duncan, Founder, Mousetrap Innovation; Phil Edwards, Managing Director, Weald Technology; Jim Telfer, Managing Director, Hilger Crystals and others talk about the benefits of knowledge exchange and what physics postgraduates and postdocs can offer industry
• Participate in a speed networking session;
• Build ongoing relationships between industry and researchers through placements, mentoring or research collaboration;
• Refreshments will be provided.

How to register:

This event is free to attend.  Places are limited so please book early by clicking here (PGR students are requested to attend a networking workshop at 16.00).

Travel expenses for research students and staff:

Reasonable travel expenses to attend this event can be reclaimed through SEPnet GRADnet departmental administrators.

Professional training for PGRs:

This event contributes 1 hour towards PGR professional skills training.

For enquiries, contact gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk

 THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS