this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2023
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Science

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I've been curious how many working researchers we've got in this community, and what you all do!

If you're working in science (physical or social), engineering, etc in a research capacity, give a shout in the comments and let us know what you work on! Same goes for students and amateur scientists at any level. (And by amateur I mean those of you who are working on your own experiments but just not being paid for it / not working on a degree; I'm upset that "amateur" has a negative connotation, it shouldn't.)

I'm currently a PhD candidate, working on transmission electron microscopy and electronic materials (mainly ferroelectrics). In the past I've been involved in research / product development in a few different industries, including medical devices, aerogels, and materials for RF devices.

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[–] Sal@mander.xyz 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

I'm a PhD candidate too - my contract is finished now, but I am still writing my thesis. So I am currently at the awkward intersection of finishing a thesis and looking for a job.

My PhD focus is in applying time-resolved spectroscopic techniques to study the excited state dynamics of molecules. Basically, these are experiments in which a pulsed laser is used to excite the sample and a second probe light is used to measure a change in the absorption in response to the light. By measuring these changes in the absorption as a function of time, and applying quantum chemical methods to calculate the spectra of potential intermediates, one can sort of recreate a molecular movie of what the molecule is doing after it absorbs light with a time resolution of femto to picoseconds. The materials that I study are organic dyes that are useful for microscopy, as well as molecules that respond to EUV light for applications in photonanolithography (for making the very small transistors in computer chips).

I am also an "amateur" scientist when it comes to biology, as many of my hobbies are nature-based and it's not like I can turn off the science bug when it comes to hobbies.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago

Well that's fascinating! The technique sounds a little bit like a cross between Raman and EXAFS/XANES? (Probably just because those are two techniques I happen to be familiar with though.)

[–] Dr_Cog@beehaw.org 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm a research professor of neurology, and my research focuses on developing novel cognitive assessments for measuring early-stage Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's a field where it seems (to an outsider) like a lot has been happening recently! Glad to have you here!

[–] Dr_Cog@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago

You'd be correct! The new anti-amyloid drugs are very exciting, and it makes my work on preclinical Alzheimer's even more fulfilling as it can have a real impact on getting people tested and treated as early as possible.

[–] saltysel@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's science-y enough but I'm definitely not considered a scientist so much as a technologist. I work as a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Technologist. Previously a X-Ray Technologist.

My machine does all the science for me but it's a pretty neat concept. Using magnetic gradients and RF pulses at hydrogen protons to acquire accurate digital imaging.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Happy to have you! The science behind MRI is fascinating, and the machines themselves are really cool. Have you ever seen a magnet quench? I don't think they're really supposed to happen during normal operation, but some of the videos I've seen have been rather dramatic.

[–] saltysel@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

It is pretty crazy people were able to figure that all out and we are able obtain crazy detailed pictures without radiation.

No I haven't seen it! Hoping to see a controlled quench someday but also hoping to avoid needing to use it in any emergency situations; it'll have to be a damn near life/death situation to hit that button. Very costly decision. I guess there's also a dwindling supply of helium in the world so that could get interesting as time goes on.

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[–] TheAlrightGatsby@beehaw.org 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

PhD in Geology. Now am a research scientist working in more general materials science/chemistry/gas adsorption. My thesis was on lunar petrology where I studied Apollo 16 samples. My current research is much less exciting. Haven't touched a rock in ages and my geologist heart hurts from it haha

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[–] appel@whiskers.bim.boats 4 points 2 years ago (5 children)

working in a cultivated meat startup, msc in biotechnology, but now disillusioned and wanting to do something academic/more down to earth and helpful

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

If it's not too personal, may I ask what lead to your disillusionment with the field? "Lab grown" meat (assuming that's what you mean by cultivated) has seemed like a promising idea to me for a while, in terms of environmental impact and the ethical consideration of animals.

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[–] Kajo@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm an associate professor in computer science, currently working on stochastic algorithms (like genetic algorithms).

Until now, I've been working on quite abstract optimization problems, but I'd like to switch to more useful applications, like social inequalities or climate change.

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[–] Hellstormy@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

I'm a software developer who works on Backend/APIs/Cloud/AI.

Currently browsing Lemmy instead of actually doing work in my home office...

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Currently browsing Lemmy instead of actually doing work in my home office…

Some days just turn out that way lol

[–] sensibilidades@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I'm a professor of chemistry, I mainly do organometallic research but we've been branching out into other areas.

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[–] CadeJohnson@toot.cat 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

@realChem I retired from being a chemical engineer in the environmental remediation of hazardous wastes and petroleum. Went sailboat cruising, and stopped along the way to teach high school chemistry four years. Now I volunteer with OpenAir Collective working on CO2 removal (from atmosphere, not point sources - later is called "capture" instead of "removal" for some reason). Without chemicals, nothing would exist!

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

I actually did chemical engineering as my undergrad degree! I didn't work directly on any remediation projects, but one of the first jobs I had involved making sure all the waste our plant produced was properly treated. It was a slurry, I was helping to separate all of the solids and then neutralize the remaining liquid, and then it went on to Clean Harbors for final treatment.

Your whole post-career honestly sounds ideal, I hope to do something similar. I've always wanted to teach, but after I retire and don't need the money.

[–] Illidariadude@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I am a welding Engineer working in a mixed role of failure analysis and research. Most of my projects are sustainability based.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Very cool! From the small bit I learned about welding in my classes it really seems like a topic with a lot of depth and nuance to it (that maybe sometimes goes unappreciated). Happy to have you 'round!

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[–] Ater@fedia.io 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Graduate student in ecology, just finishing up.

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[–] perkele@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I work a day job in IT, have a side business doing IT, work an occasional shift at my buddy's liquor store, and sell furniture on the side.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Glad to have you 'round!

[–] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I work at a company that makes large and small rocket engines (e.g., the ones on SLS/Artemis, and solids for a number of defense programs), and various electrical power systems (e.g., for the ISS and some of the Mars rovers). I manage the space software engineering organization.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

Oh wow, that's fascinating! I imagine you have to be very careful with software reliability for that kind of project?

It looks like you've already found the space community as well! (But for anyone else who might not have: https://beehaw.org/c/space)

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[–] Pelicanen@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Development engineer working with autonomous vehicles.

Worst part of it is having to interact with Tesla bros who think that they have self-driving figured out despite what experts in the field tell them.

Best part of it is being able to code functionality then sit down inside an actual physical vehicle and see, hear, and feel it act out what you programmed. Incredibly satisfying.

[–] thedarkfly@feddit.nl 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've got a PhD in nonlinear vibrations. I've left academia for the space industry though.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That definitely sounds like something that could be useful in a lot of different ways - including in the space industry!

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[–] wjs018@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

I have my PhD in physics with a background in material science and primarily work in Pharma developing early stage biologics programs (antibodies, gene therapies, etc). That means basically any of the molecules I have worked on are maybe 5+ years away from reaching the market. I don't meet many other physicists in this field, instead it is primarily chemical engineers and biochemists. Even working in industry, I still have the chance to publish and attend conferences though.

[–] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I work in mine closure. I create plans to re-integrate them back into the surrounding landscape, and provide valuable end land uses (not just those centred around ecosystem re-establishment).

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[–] fossilesque@mander.xyz 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

PhD candidate, archaeologist in a physical geography department. I read dirt to reconstruct ecosystems over time.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

That sounds like a really interesting field! I can't even begin to imaging all of the complexities but the basic idea you put forward ("read dirt to reconstruct ecosystems over time") is very compelling.

[–] oofinsprouts@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm a Data Scientist (physics PhD) for a large enterprise company. I've been in this field for the last decade and I'm kinda bored with it. I'm not exactly sure what to do next though....

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Mmm yeah, I can imagine things might get a bit stale after a decade working on similar things. What was your physics PhD in, something you'd be interested in pursuing again maybe?

[–] oofinsprouts@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

My thesis covered optoelectronic measurements of nanomaterials for novel photovoltaics. Even as a kid, I wanted some sort of career researching alternative energy, but those jobs sadly don't exist.

[–] Maddypip@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I’m working on my Astrophysics PhD. I study “galactic cannibalism” aka how galaxies grow and change by eating smaller galaxies. My big focus is on teaching and outreach though rather than research.

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[–] TechnicolorRex@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I'm a Mechanical Engineer who designs automation equipment. Basically lots of 3-6 axis robots, multi-axis gantries, various conveyance mechanisms, and other specialized automation equipment integration. Its fun because it is a job all about things moving from point A to point B.

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[–] dbrass@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm a postdoctoral researcher in chemical engineering with a background in mechanical engineering. I have been working on different materials (composites, nanocomposites, conductive coatings), but I am now working on an atmospheric water harvesting material to produce water in remote locations with low energy demands.

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[–] hiwigiwi 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

trained physicist with 2D materials background, turned all-round engineer with an ultrafast spectroscopy startup.

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[–] howrar@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

PhD student working in reinforcement learning (the branch of machine learning, not the neuroscience kind). Trying to figure out how to make more general agents, and I'm hypothesizing that making things bigger is a key ingredient.

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