Monday 26 September 2016

What do our Graduates do now?

The graduates at CCFE go on to do some amazing things. This post is a catch up with some of our graduates to see what they've got up to after finishing the CCFE Graduate Scheme.


Sarah Medley
Background
Physicist – I studied physics at university, but I’m now becoming increasingly interested in the engineering side of things!

What year did you finish the graduate scheme?
2015

What’s your current role?
I’m a Tritium Plant Engineer in the Tritium Engineering and Science Group at CCFE. We operate the tritium plant to provide JET with the tritium fuel it needs for fusion experiments, and we also undertake scientific research using tritium.

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a range of different projects, including upgrading some of the tritium plant systems in preparation for the next set of deuterium-tritium experiments at JET, and developing a small experimental facility to investigate the interaction of tritium with fusion-relevant materials.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far and why was it interesting?
I’m happy to say that all the projects I’ve worked on so far at CCFE have been interesting, because they have involved learning so many new things!

What advice would you give the fresh-faced, younger version of yourself before starting university (if any!)

I would say don’t be afraid of doing things wrong or making mistakes, as the best way to develop yourself is to go outside your comfort zone!

Ant Shaw
(Picture: Ant Shaw (left) and Alex Meakins (right) presenting the JET Data Dasboard)
Background
Studied physics at university

What year did you finish the graduate scheme?
2015

What’s your current role?
Software engineer with the data and coding group

What are you currently working on?
A number of projects, with the largest 2 being the JET Data Dashboard (a web-based interface for searching and browsing through JET session and pulse data) and the CPF (Central Physics File) System (a high-level database with a small subset of important data for each pulse, allowing more easy data analysis over large numbers of different pulses).

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far and why was it interesting?
Can I pick 2?
-          Analysing the effects of Resonant Magnetic Perturbations using MAST Doppler Back-Scattering. I was essentially given raw diagnostic data, and had to apply everything I knew of the physics of the situation and data analysis techniques to produce the end results.
-          Creating the JET Data Dashboard. Building a tool which I wanted to use was very satisfying, and I had to learn an awful lot to even start the project, which was very interesting.

What advice would you give the fresh-faced, younger version of yourself before starting university (if any!)
Take any physics-based work you can get, especially talking to academics at your university for summer projects. Also get familiar with computer programming as a concept and with a little practical experience. Regardless of where you end up as a physicist, you will be programming at some point as data analysis is much easier than with a pen and paper!

Matti Coleman
Background
Mechanical engineering with renewable energy (MEng) – University of Edinburgh

What year did you finish the graduate scheme?
2014

What’s your current role?
DEMO Design Integration and Project Coordination Officer at EUROfusion

What are you currently working on?
For the past year and a half I have been on a secondment based near Munich, Germany, at the Power Plant Physics & Technology Department in EUROfusion, coordinating research and design activities on the European demonstrational fusion reactor known as DEMO. I liaise with researchers across Europe, chiefly concerning remote maintenance and superconducting magnets, for which I am responsible. I also design parts of DEMO and coordinate design and analysis tasks on DEMO reactor integration issues, which can incorporate a wide range of topics, such as neutronics, electromagnetic loads, remote maintainability, thermohydraulic efficiency, and structural integrity.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far and why was it interesting?
Tough question! I’ve been lucky enough to work on several very interesting projects whilst at UKAEA, including DEMO Remote Maintenance, building the UK’s own MAST Upgrade reactor, the Table Top Plasma, AMAZE, and now DEMO once again. It comes down to personal preference of course, and I have always been more inclined to work at the conceptual level, so for me working on DEMO has been the most interesting. I love coming up with ideas and working with only a few fixed boundary conditions; I enjoy being able to turn the whole design on its head with a simple “what if..?” question. Working on DEMO has that element to it and, as we are designing an entire reactor, it also encompasses all of the tokamak engineering design fields, most of which come up on a daily basis – so I get a little of everything!

What advice would you give the fresh-faced, younger version of yourself before starting university (if any!)
Try to combine doing something you love with making a difference.

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