Dunford
Job Title: Research Officer
Company: Imperial College London, Space and Atmospheric Physics Group
Industry: Space Science Research
What I Do
Magnetometer instruments are one of the areas of expertise of the Space and Atmospheric Group and this is the area in which I work. We use the instruments to measure magnetic fields in the solar system. My main role is that of a data archivist, which involves developing and then running software programmes that create Planetary Data System or Planetary Science Archive compliant datasets and then submitting these datasets to either of these libraries. When I commenced this job, I initially worked on writing the software to create the Cassini Magnetometer archive datasets. Once the software is written, creating these archive datasets only takes a few days for each quarterly submission so I also help in other areas now. I advise archivists throughout Europe on archiving matters through my work on the Rosetta and Venus Express missions, as data archiving is a new aspect of space missions here, and I help calibrate magnetometer data from the Cluster spacecraft currently orbiting the Earth. I am involved in outreach work with the neighboring Science Museum which included organising the loan of two of our instruments that are currently on display there, and I also assisted in the payload decisions for the Tandem and Jupiter-Europa missions that have recently been submitted to the European Space Association for consideration as part of Cosmic Vision. My most recent project was designing a universal magnetometer test rig for our instrument ground calibration work.
A Day in the Life
I normally work 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday and, while I work on a variety of projects, as mentioned above, the work is mostly computer or desk based so that’s where I am most of the time. I usually interact with other engineers and physicists that are working on the same missions both at the College and throughout Europe and the USA; I share my lab with several people doing operational work on the Cassini mission. I also have to go to many meetings, mostly in Europe, and so I am often not in the office at all but I am still able to access the machines at work, so I can do my work no matter where I am.
Why My Job Is Great
I love traveling to new places; I just recently returned from a meeting in Lapland. The working atmosphere is relaxed and as a result the people are kind and friendly. I also enjoy my outreach work with the museum.
But I Don’t Like
The job is too computer based for my liking.
Off the Job
I cycle and have just started studying Chen Tai Chi. I go to the theatre, museums and art galleries very often. Due to the EU’s generous leave requirements, which mean I have over 30 days leave each year, I am able to travel a significant amount, I visit Canada once or twice a year and also take a holiday in Europe one or twice a year. While I live far from my family and friends in Canada, internet telephone services and e-mail make it easy and cheap to keep in touch and we often visit each other.
Experiences to Learn From
My undergraduate study gave me a good grounding in engineering and my work in student government at UBC helped me improve my organisational and team work abilities. It was the engineering technology class I took at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary that made me decide to study engineering.
The Best Part is
The versatility of the degree and the fact that a Canadian degree in mechanical engineering is recognised in many English speaking countries makes it easy to work in many diverse places and jobs.
My Advice to You
The project work is the aspect of the degree that is most like working as an engineer, and what you learn in that area will be applicable no matter what career you end up having.
Don’t just do your school work – try to complement your degree with other activities relevant to the type of career you want. Having a good degree is what gets you an interview, but it’s everything else you have to offer that gets you the job.