GRADnet PGR Alumni Case Studies

Read about what some of our SEPnet PhD graduates are doing now:

PhD Graduate: Matthew Withers, University of Portsmouth

Company: CDO2

Role: Embedded Software Engineer

A PhD is an excellent opportunity to learn and develop many new transferable skills for future employment.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Riley Ilieva – University of Surrey

Company: National Instruments (now Higher Research Scientist with NPL)

Role: Applications Engineer

“My advice is to take full advantage of everything at your disposal. This doesn’t mean that you necessarily want to do any of the jobs that you hear about but it will help to guide you to a job that you do enjoy and can develop in. ”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Rob Phippen – University of Southampton

Company: IBM

Role: Integration Software Architect

“You can be certain that you have technical aptitudes and this will stand you in very good stead in the software industry.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Maan Najem – University of Surrey

Company: Royal Marsden Hospital

Role:  Radiotherapy Physicist

“Explore all options available by taking voluntary roles at different companies for few weeks which can help you to increase your knowledge and experience as well as expand your networks.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Heather Campbell – University of Portsmouth

Company: University of Surrey Physics Department

Role: Outreach Officer

“Don’t feel you have failed if you choose to do something different from academic research.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Rosh Sellahewa – University of Surrey

Company: KPMG (now Manager with Deloitte)

Role: Intellectual Property and Contract Governance

“You can still enjoy a job role even if it’s not in science! Your first role invariably won’t be the right one and employers won’t be phased if you move relatively quickly if you know it’s not for you.

Read more

PhD Graduate: Kelly Nock – University of Portsmouth

Company: We Predict

Role: Data Scientist

Working in cosmology developed my innovative thinking and analytical approaches to data. The core skills I developed during my PhD are now directly applicable to my role as a Data Scientist.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Andrew Witham – University of Southampton

Company: Symetrica

Role: Team Leader – Algorithm Development Team

Though it is fascinating to study physics topics such as relativity and quantum mechanics, be sure to keep a keen interest in developing skills that will be useful in future careers with physics regardless of the specialised subject area.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: James Etherington – University of Portsmouth

Company: Crowd Connected

Role: Data Scientist

Statistical techniques that I learnt during my PhD are very useful in my current role.

Read more

Jon Emery PhD Graduate: Jon Emery – University of Portsmouth

Company: National Grid

Role: Network Analyst

“The research skills I gained while studying my PhD have proved invaluable; being able to research a problem’s background, develop innovative solutions and then communicate the results clearly.”

Read more

Picture2PhD Graduate: Phil Goddard – University of Surrey

Companies: Housing Association Charitable Trust and Sainsbury’s (now Senior Data Scientist, Kindred Group)

Role: Data Scientist

“Unless you want to stay in research, you need to work at getting a technical role outside academia. Don’t give up! If you go from academia to business, it may take a while to build up skills and find your niche.”

Read more

PhD Graduate: Rachel Gregory – University of Southampton

Company: KU Leuven

Role: Intellectual Property Officer

Think outside the box – your analytical skills have applicability in areas you may not have previously encountered.”

Read more

Tim HiggsPhD Graduate: Tim Higgs – University of Portsmouth

Company: ClearviewIP Ltd

Role: Senior Analyst

Being able to produce meaningful statistics from large and, inevitably, imperfect datasets is a valuable skill in the commercial environment.

Read more

PhD Graduate: Michael Hodgson – University of Surrey

Company: Centronic Limited

Role: Design & Development Engineer

“Think outside of your research bubble! Physics is about applying logical thinking to practical problems which every company in the word would like. If you’re interested in a role, go for it – that’s all that is required.

Read more

PhD Graduate: Stewart Martin-Haugh – University of Sussex

Company: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Role: Software Developer

“I love what I’m doing and it’s definitely working out career wise.”

Read more