Graduate profiles
Find out what some of our recent graduates have gone onto do, and what they think about Physics at the University of Leicester.
Sam Fairhurst, BScEDF Energy, Nuclear energy graduate programme |
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I am currently employed by EDF Energy as a Nuclear Graduate. The role has been exciting and varied. I have travelled around the UK on different attachments, each lasting around 6 weeks. I have visited various nuclear stations and supporting sites, and gained first hand experience of the different departments required to maintain the safe and reliable operation of a nuclear power station. I have worked on high profile projects which affect the lifetime, productivity and safety of the station.
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The flexibility and diversity of the modules available at Leicester is amazing. As a Physics student I had the opportunity to take modules ranging from Nanotechnology to Management, Space Mission Design to Plasma Physics. The up to date expertise of all the staff, their support and their encouragement is what makes Leicester University such a good place to study Physics.
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Ed Bean, MPhysEADS Astrium, graduate programme |
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I am currently working on the ExoMars rover. My role is to integrate the system that gets the picture from the cameras and sends it to the navigation software which generates 3D maps of the terrain. The software then detects dangerous rocks and high gradient slopes and generates a path to avoid them. I’ve also spent some time on system engineering for the mid infrared instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. There are 27 different institutes across Europe and the USA involved in this project, and Astrium is helping to manage everyone’s efforts to build the instrument. It was a great experience working with people from different cultures.
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Leicester was a great environment to encourage me to reach my potential and to provide me with all the tools I've needed to be successful in my career both in terms of Physics and my ability to teamwork and communicate.
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Sarah Cruddas, BScBBC Science Reporter and Weather Presenter The course armed me with much more then just a degree. It gave me an understanding of the importance of communicating science and the confidence to push myself in a highly competitive industry. My degree is well respected and without going to Leicester University I would not have achieved the success I have today.
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Susan Humphrys, MPhysFinancial Analyst, BSkyB The tutors in the Physics Department are superb and are always willing to help with questions and problems. I definitely had all the support I needed to excel in my studies.
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Mike Gorley, MPhysPhD student, Oxford University The Department has an open door policy that allows you as much support as you need. You can get help on areas that you find difficult or you can learn at an advanced pace in areas where you have strengths. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester. I left the University with a first class degree; University sports honours and many friends.
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Sarah Badman, MPhys, PhDResearch Fellow, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency Leicester Physics Department has a wide range of research expertise and I really enjoyed the opportunities to work on cutting-edge research projects as an undergraduate.
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Chris Johnson, MPhysTrainee Chartered Accountant, Buzzacott LLP The courses are structured to push you and help you realise your true potential. Staff are approachable and are research experts in their fields, meaning that you can take the learning as far, and as wide as you want to.
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Star Trek style sick bay featured on BBC’s The One Show
