Jamie Hunter

This PhD was hosted in the School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh.   

I was pleasantly surprised by how sociable and friendly many people were, even in a non-academic setting and about non-academic topics. I think Edinburgh, and those who research at Edinburgh do a good job of ensuring there is a life outside of research.

What was your research about?

Our collective reliance on rare earth elements (REEs) is continually increasing but it remains challenging to obtain REEs of high purity. This is due to few REEs deposits of significant concentrations and how similar REEs are to one another.

To address the difficulties in separation I developed alternative reagents to those currently used industrially for the recovery and separation of REEs by solution phase chemistry (solvent extraction). These new reagents were ionic liquids (ILs).

Through a range of analytical, spectroscopic, and computational techniques I gained an understanding of how these new reagents operated, allowing further improvements to be made.

What made you apply to the E³ DTP?

Having completed a MChem degree where I really enjoyed the investigative aspect of a final year research project and a range of environmental modules I was keen to apply for a PhD that focussed heavily on applicability and one that had green credentials. Upon seeing the position advertised and that it was based in Edinburgh – somewhere that friends and family had described favourably I decided to apply.

What did you find challenging in your PhD?

Knowing no-one personally who had undertaken a PhD I had little idea of what day-to-day life would entail. Prior to starting the PhD I did expect greater direction and assistance from my supervisor and was quite surprised that I needed to request more regular meetings and some project direction suggestions.

I did not expect other groups members to be so supportive and willing to assist on my project.

I was expecting the PhD to be similar to a scientific job and less similar to my master’s degree year.

I was pleasantly surprised by how sociable and friendly many people were, even in a non-academic setting and about non-academic topics. I think Edinburgh, and those who research at Edinburgh do a good job of ensuring there is a life outside of research.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

Knowing what I know now, I would have requested very regular meetings from the very start and asked my supervisors continually for new ideas to ensure I have lots of research avenues to pursue.

I would volunteer for more outreach events and more support groups, although during the PhD I did participate in a number of these.

I enjoyed being part of the research community at the University of Edinburgh, and especially being part of an active and supportive research group.

Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?

Demonstrating to undergraduate students, directing master’s year students, the cohort events and catch-ups, organising events such as conferences and ChemSoc (UofE chemistry society) events and discussing general science ideas were all aspects I thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, my roles on the DTP advisory team and within the chemistry building being a student representative. Both roles involved trying to improve the situation for current and future PhD researchers.

Which skills did you gain during your PhD?

I gained a wide range of technical analytical skills for chemical instrumentation, the ability to use LINUX and to edit scripts/code to some degree. More generally I developed my ability to present ideas, to construct convincing arguments and to see ways in which skills can be applied to other tasks (collaborative opportunities).

What would not have been possible without the DTP?

Without the DTP I fundamentally would not have been able to afford to undertake a PhD. Additionally, the 3.5 years funding rather than 3 ensured that I could pace my research and have sufficient funds remaining to construct my thesis.

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

The PhD has cemented my opinion that my ideal career path will be one still involving science but not within academia, nor one which is entirely laboratory based or not very applicable. A job with real world application and one where I am using science rather than undertaking laboratory experiments is a job I wish for.

Demonstrating to undergraduate students, directing master’s year students, the cohort events and catch-ups, organising events such as conferences and ChemSoc (UofE chemistry society) events and discussing general science ideas were all aspects I thoroughly enjoyed.

And now?

Currently I am working at Scottish Water in a Scientist role. My role primarily consists of preparation and analysis of water samples using predominately inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The position is officially only until Christmas, but I am confident it will become a permanent position if I so wish to take it.

I applied around May through a job advert on a job listing website and started working mid-June.

Long term I cannot see myself remaining at Scottish Water as my preference is to be in a less lab-based role.