Ashley Smith

Separating polar lithospheric and ionospheric magnetic signals in satellite data

 This PhD was hosted in the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the British Geological Survey (BGS) which acted as a CASE partner.

I wanted to apply my space physics knowledge to a geoscience domain, in a situation where I could also get some experience of broader issues across the geosciences.

What was your research about?

I studied ways to process magnetic field measurements made primarily by ESA spacecraft mission, Swarm. These space-based measurements provide a way to monitor and understand Earth from space. We use them to investigate a broad array of physical phenomena, all the way from Earth’s core to the surface of the Sun. My PhD focussed on methods to separate superposed magnetic signals from different sources (see https://magneticearth.org/pages/magsources.html), particularly the lithosphere (crust) and ionosphere (upper atmosphere). From lithospheric magnetic sources, we gain insight into geologic structures and composition. From ionospheric sources, we learn about the complex coupling between Earth and Sun, and hazards posed by space weather.

What made you apply to the E3 DTP?

I discovered the project listed online and wanted to apply my space physics knowledge to a geoscience domain, in a situation where I could also get some experience of broader issues across the geosciences.

What did you find challenging in your PhD?

The world is always more complex than you imagine it to be. It was hard to review a huge scientific literature which requires too much special knowledge to fully understand. Balancing time spent learning new things and generating outputs, while identifying novel problems and solutions, was a continual difficulty.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

I was worried that I was spending too much time reading (both on scientific literature and on computational/IT aspects) and not generating enough research outputs. In the end it worked out okay and I gained quite a unique intersection of knowledge, so I shouldn’t have been concerned by that. But I should have kept better notes on things I was learning, as they can quickly be forgotten!

Balancing time spent learning new things and generating outputs, while identifying novel problems and solutions, was a continual difficulty.

Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?

It was good to travel to conferences and meet other people working on similar research. These were the most memorable times.

PhD Highlights

  • I went to many conferences abroad (Lapland, Vienna, Prague, Rome, Cape Town, Montreal) which were a great break from the reality of my regular work just sitting at a computer 
  • My PIP during which I was able to work as part of an ESA-funded project as a software developer at EOX IT Services in Vienna for three months

Which skills did you gain during your PhD?

I am able to think strategically about long complex projects where the journey and outcomes are not clear from the beginning. The freedom to set my own schedule and goals gave me the space to learn software skills that the scientific community needs.

What would not have been possible without the DTP?

Through the DTP internship scheme (PIP), I was able to work as part of an ESA-funded project (see https://vires.services) as a software developer at EOX IT Services in Vienna for three months – this has helped me to launch a career involved with research software engineering.

I went to many conferences abroad (Lapland, Vienna, Prague, Rome, Cape Town, Montreal) which were a great break from the reality of my regular work just sitting at a computer.

How has your PhD helped you to decide on a career path?

 

And now?