All posts by Veronica Benson

11Oct/17

Taking Control of your Career as a Female Physicist

11th October 2017UncategorizedVeronica Benson

Wednesday 15 November, 15.00 – 18.00
Hallam Conference Centre, London W1

IOP and SEPnet are holding a networking careers event for physics undergraduate and PGRs.

This half-day panel and networking event gives you a chance to find out about the range of career options open to physicists.

Hear female physicists:
• talk about their roles and how they got to where they are
• provide practical advice and information about the skills and experience you need to progress in your career

Participating organisations include: Micron Semiconductor Ltd; Leonardo; Magnetic Shields; National Physical Laboratory; University of Sussex; Royal Holloway; UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA); Ultra Electronics and others.

Refreshments will be provided. Places are limited and the event is free to attend.
Register at: https://www.iopconferences.org/iop/1141/home

29Sep/17

IOP/SEPnet Joint Career Panel Event for PGRs

29th September 2017Employer EngagementVeronica Benson

Wednesday 8 November 2017, 16:30-20:30 Hallam Conference Centre, London W1

A special joint IOP SEPnet careers event for early career researchers to help, inspire and motivate you to explore the careers options open to you in a welcoming and friendly environment.

You will meet a panel of physics PhD graduates pursuing careers in diverse areas in and outside academia.

Organisations include Adaptix; Diamond Light Source; IBM; Institute for Cosmology & Gravitation, University of Portsmouth; MP Capital; National Physical Laboratory; STFC ; Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd; UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and WP Thompson.

Vishanti Fox, IOP Careers and CPD Manager, will offer advice on CV writing.

Places are limited. This event is free to attend.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed by SEPnet through GRADnet PGR Administrators.
Register at http://bit.ly/2wFp084

03Jul/17

SEPnet students learn what it really means to be an entrepreneur!

3rd July 2017Employer Engagement, GRADnetEntrepreneurshipVeronica Benson

SEPnet students recently came together to participate in two days of intensive entrepreneurship training as part of our annual GRADnet Enterprising Ideas competition.

Elaine Hickmott, who developed the programme, explains how ‘by mixing the problem-solving and analytical skills developed as a physicist with an understanding of business and industry’, graduates can truly position themselves for success. She adds ‘this may translate into the ability to secure more funding as an academic, being the best physicist you can be, starting your own company or building a rewarding industrial career.’

Ricky D’Costa, a physics student at Surrey, shared his views about the training: ‘I have learnt that being an entrepreneur is not always about financial profit. People can become social entrepreneurs to help society and, whatever profit they make, they can use it to develop their business further. I have learnt to think from other people’s perspective – how they feel, think and process information. If ideas are criticised too early, people might be discouraged from sharing their thoughts. The most important aspect for me was understanding the four stages of innovation: Dreamer, Realist, Critic and Implementer. I am now keen to take my business idea further!’

23May/17

Collaborating with Industry and Understanding Innovate UK, Friday 23 June 9.15am – 2.30pm, University of Surrey

23rd May 2017UncategorizedVeronica Benson

Collaborating with Industry and Understanding Innovate UK
Friday 23 June 9.15am – 2.30pm
University of Surrey

Join Surrey for this year’s annual Business Development event held on Friday 23 June from 9.15am – 2.30pm. The objectives of the day are to promote collaboration with industry and to update you on the Innovate UK grant landscape including advice on applications and what to expect in 2018.

Speakers will include Dr Ian Brotherston, Innovate UK; Dr Ben Shenoy, Director of Business Insights Lab, SBS; Caroline Fleming, Head of Surrey Incubation; Dr Clive Cheong Took, Lecturer Computer Science; William Medcalf, William Medcalf Ltd. and Prof James Aitken, Head of Business Transformation.

By holding this event, Surrey hope to provide you with:
* an understanding of the many ways in which the University can engage with business, and the benefits of doing so
* an update on the forthcoming Innovate UK landscape (including the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund)
* improved confidence and tips on how to engage with industry ways to engage with SMEs
inspirational case studies of successful collaboration and
* awareness of the RIS Business Development Team and how we can help you

Parallel workshops will provide tips on writing Innovate UK applications and undertaking Consultancy and Expert Services at the University of Surrey.

You can find out more about the day and the agenda here: https://surreynet.surrey.ac.uk/events/collaborating-industry-and-understanding-innovate-uk

If you would like to book now please visit the event’s eventbrite page.

15May/17

IOP Astronomy & Physics Students (CAPS) Careers Fair, Wednesday 28 June, University College London

15th May 2017UncategorizedVeronica Benson

IOP Conference of Astronomy and Physics Students (CAPS) Careers Fair
Wednesday 28 June, University College London

WHAT IT IS
• The annual Conference of Astronomy and Physics Students (CAPS) is the largest undergraduates physics conference in the UK and is taking place from 27–30 June
• Over 200 physics and astronomy students will attend to engage with employers through the fair, speed networking or sponsorship
• A series of student talks will highlight the diverse research areas within physics
• A FREE Careers Fair on 28 June will enable employers to promote their company and employment opportunities to students.

HOW EMPLOYERS CAN BENEFIT
• Meet the brightest and best physics students
• Make students aware of your career opportunities whilst proactively promoting your company as an employer of choice
• Raise your company’s profile by hosting a mock interview session, holding a talk or participating in the speed-networking session
• Sponsor the event Gala Dinner for £5,000 or contribute to the running of the conference for £1,000
• Your company’s profile will be featured on all marketing materials, emails and in relevant speeches.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
• To reserve your place at this event, please contact vishanti.fox@iop.org by Monday 22 May.
• If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact vishanti.fox@iop.org. Visit http://www.ucl.iopcaps.co.uk/

14Mar/17

Winner of SEPnet video competition to Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre describes his life-changing experience

14th March 2017Placements, UncategorizedVeronica Benson

Star City Trip – February 2017

A few weeks ago I got the chance to fulfil a childhood dream of mine, to train as an astronaut alongside the NASA and Roscosmos men and women in the famous Star City training complex. It was a once in a lifetime experience very few have had the privilege to do.

I started my journey retracing the path of old Russian cosmonauts beginning their journey in Moscow, beginning with a visit to the Kremlin and Red Square, the scene of Yuri Gagarin’s celebratory parade from his great return from space in 1961. I lived in the site’s dorms with our very own British born NASA astronaut, Mike Foale. If you can imagine having a university floor mate who had been to the ISS and who you’d have informal chats with as you brushed your teeth, you’d get a pretty good picture of what staying in Star City is like.

During my stay I was involved in a range of activities from Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) suit training by Yuri Gagarin’s actual flight instructor, to wilderness survival training and MIR station training. It was unequivocally one of the best weeks I’ve ever experienced. Hopefully one day I can return, not as an enthusiastic student, but as someone who works directly in sending us humans to the edges of space and beyond.
—
Kieran Hashmi

12Jan/17

SEPnet SUMMER PLACEMENTS 2017

12th January 2017UncategorizedVeronica Benson

SEPnet is seeking 8-12 week placement projects in industry or research in areas such as data analysis, mathematic modelling, product design and testing or science communication.

WHO CAN APPLY?
The scheme is aimed at any organisations interested in recruiting physics graduates or who can offer valuable business experience including large companies, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, charities and NGOs.

BENEFITS TO EMPLOYERS
• Early access to bright, numerate students with excellent problem-solving and IT skills
• Enables you to carry out projects you would not normally have time for
• Provides a fresh perspective on your business challenges
• All advertising, administration and placement support is handled by SEPnet
• Some funding available for SMEs.

Employers who participate in the scheme include AWE, BAE Systems, CCFE, Good Energy, Leonardo, Met Office, NPL, QinetiQ, STFC and many SMEs.

Register your placement project, or projects, online by Friday 10 February
For more information visit www.sepnet.ac.uk/students-employers/information-for-employers/

Email summerplacements@sepnet.ac.uk.

16Dec/16

SEPnet Summer Placements 2017 – Do you have a project/work experience for a physics undergraduate or PhD?

16th December 2016Employer Engagement, PlacementsVeronica Benson

SEPnet SUMMER PLACEMENTS 2017

SEPnet is seeking 8-12 week placement projects in industry or research in areas such as data analysis, mathematic modelling, product design and testing or science communication.

Employers who participate in the scheme include AWE, BAE Systems, CCFE, Good Energy, Leonardo, Met Office, NPL, QinetiQ, STFC and many SMEs.

Register your placement project, or projects, online by Friday 10 February
For more information visit www.sepnet.ac.uk/students-employers/information-for-employers/

Email summerplacements@sepnet.ac.uk.

25Nov/16

The SEPnet Annual Students’ Expo goes from strength to strength

25th November 2016Employer EngagementVeronica Benson

150 SEPnet students, employers and academic staff celebrated the achievements of 80 summer placement students at the annual Student Expo at RSA House in London.

Sarah Medley of Culham Centre for Fusion Energy gave an engaging and informative talk about working at Culham, the range of opportunities for physicists and her own exciting career path. Dr Frances Saunders provided an inspiring keynote address about her varied and illustrious career offering valuable advice for students about the importance of finding work you feel passionate about.

The students’ presentations and posters get better and better each year. This year’s winners of the best posters were:

Ashley Morahan, University of Southampton at Adaptix
Luna Borella, Royal Holloway at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Gavin Sandison, University of Surrey at Fourth State Medicine
Anastasia Manu, University of Southampton at National Physical Laboratory
Curtis Hentschel, University of Surrey at Photonics Technologies
Abbie Bray, Queen Mary University at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

The Institute of Physics sponsored the 6 prizes. Each winner a signed copy of the brand new book ‘Aliens’ edited by Jim Al-Khalili and a copy of his co-authored book ‘Nucleus: a trip into the heart of matter’ (the only coffee table glossy hardback on nuclear physics in the world!)

You can view photos from the event on Google+: https://plus.google.com/collection/kTopME

21Nov/16

NuSec Personal Development Grant – Open to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in the field of nuclear security science

21st November 2016PhD, ResearchVeronica Benson

NuSec Personal Development Grant: The Nuclear Security Science Network ‘NuSec’ promotes research and technology in nuclear security. The network is open to all academic, industrial and government scientists and engineers working in nuclear security and acts as a forum to encourage collaboration, networking and capability for all stakeholders.

Aim of Grant: To support Early Career Researchers and established staff across a range of personal development activities related to nuclear security science, including attending research conferences, carrying out industrial placements, or attending training courses. Also to strengthen the research and innovation capacity of scientists in the field of nuclear security science and to develop new collaborations between researchers and partner organisations.

Scope: To include any mechanism which achieves the aims and objectives of the programme. Funding will be offered to support travel and subsistence costs plus event registration fees or other associated costs.

Award Value: Grants will be awarded in the range £500 – £2000. Early Career Researchers (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) are NOT required to obtain matched funding.

Application Procedure: Applications must be made using the application form that can be downloaded from the NuSec website www.nusec.uk. There is an open application deadline for these grants with a decision made to the applicant within 6 weeks of submission. The assessment of proposals will be carried out by the NuSec Management Group.

Eligibility: Applicants should be researchers who are based either at a university, research establishment or a company within the UK. Applicants are expected to either be active in the field of nuclear security or wishing to apply their expertise from other areas into nuclear security research. Applicants will normally only receive one award across the duration of the network.

Further details: Visit NuSec’s website or contact info@nusec.uk.

Author: Veronica Benson

SEPnet SUMMER PLACEMENTS 2017