Anna Mackie

 This PhD was hosted in the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London.   

I wasn’t expecting my PhD to be so enjoyable, but there definitely were lots of challenges!

What was your research about?

My PhD was about understanding how different processes in the Earth’s atmosphere influence the energy balance of the Earth-atmosphere system. By using observations from satellites to evaluate climate models, I aimed to understand which processes in the models were causing differences between the modelled and real climate system.

What made you apply to the E³ DTP?

I had really enjoyed the research project which I had done as part of my Masters, and the thought of more scientific research really appealed. The DTP gave me the opportunity to continue my studies at Edinburgh and the funding meant that I was able develop my own research direction without being tied to a specific project.

What did you find challenging in your PhD?

I wasn’t expecting my PhD to be so enjoyable, but there definitely were lots of challenges. Starting a large research project for which I was responsible was a daunting task! But my supervisors supported me and helped me navigate these challenges.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

I think I would have spent more time at the beginning chatting to people, both in the office and the wider research community, read more papers and talked more with others about my ideas. I was maybe a bit shy!

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?

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 skills did you gain during your PhD?

First and foremost, I learnt how to plan, structure and execute scientific research. More specifically, I vastly improved my computing skills (I learnt a new programming language), writing skills (both for a general audience and also for the scientific community) and public speaking skills.

What would not have been possible without the DTP?

I benefitted from a lot of training opportunities that would not have been possible without the DTP. I was supported by the Overseas Research Visit Fund to be a visiting student at ETH Zurich for a semester, which allowed me to work within a different group, establish connections and widen my skills and network. I also attended various training courses, both within the University and also other courses organised by NERC. Finally, I received funding which allowed me to dedicate time to apply for jobs at the end of my PhD.

My PhD helped me decide that I love being a scientific researcher and that I would like to pursue a career in research. Crucially, it helped me develop the skills I need to do this!

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

My PhD helped me decide that I love being a scientific researcher and that I would like to pursue a career in research. Crucially, it helped me develop the skills I need to do this!

And now?

In the last months of writing my thesis I was supported by the DTP to write applications for research fellowships and academic jobs. Just after submission, I was offered a job as a postdoc at the University of St Andrews. In this new role, my research is focused on clouds and atmospheric circulation in the tropics, and draws heavily on the skills I learnt at Edinburgh during my PhD.