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 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 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 spectroscopy 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 techniques 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.

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[–] Dr_Cog@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year 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 3 points 1 year 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 2 points 1 year 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.

[–] Hellstormy@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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 1 year ago

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

Some days just turn out that way lol

[–] saltysel@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year 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 2 points 1 year 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 1 points 1 year ago (1 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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[–] sensibilidades@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] Kajo@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year 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.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

I get that. Working on a more abstract problem should, in theory, help solve more practical problems down the line, but sometimes it just feels less satisfying that working on something where you can see the real world application and (hopefully) results. I'm definitely looking to do something practical with my experience once I'm finished with my PhD.

[–] AcrossTheDrift@lemmy.one 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm a postdoc, working on laser-plasma/ interactions and electron accelerators. My PhD work was on ultrafast electron diffraction.

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[–] IrritableOcelot@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

I'm a PhD candidate in inorganic and biochemistry! Loving the chem representation here, and loving OP's username.

[–] Ater@fedia.io 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Graduate student in ecology, just finishing up.

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[–] perkele@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year 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 1 year ago

Glad to have you 'round!

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

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

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[–] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (2 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.

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[–] Pelicanen@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

That's does sound satisfying!

I'm pretty thankful that I'm not in a field that gets too much public attention. I think people mostly think of electron microscopy as a bit like magic. I can imagine the kinds of interactions you might have; everybody knows how to drive a car, after all, so why can't you just program it to do what they do?!

That said, I've got some ideas for how to... (/s)

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

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

[–] thedarkfly@feddit.nl 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah well most industries pray that everything stays all good and linear, but sadly it isn't always the case haha. The next level is to design a structure with nonlinearities on purpose.

[–] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 year 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).

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

That's so cool! Sounds like an incredibly rewarding job. (Also I love visiting old mines that are no longer working but are open to the public for viewing. Always a cool experience.)

[–] Maddypip@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 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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[–] Phlogistol@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

I'm a PhD in chemical engineering and work in a testing laboratory for electrical engineering insulating materials. My dissertation was using predictive modelling (some data mining and machine learning, some more classical statistical methods) to estimate material properties from spectral data. I'm trying to combine a full-day engineering job with writing more journal articles in my spare time. Currently not going well but at least I'm not lacking for data!

[–] thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I was managing a dev team building software for Wifi devices for the Artemis program... Then NASA decided they needed to cut $8,000,000 and descoped that part of the project. Now I'm... Looking for the next thing to do.

I understand they're planning to slap some COTS shit in in place of what we were building. I wish the astronauts well when that shit gets hit by some high energy particles. I'm not salty.

[–] wjs018@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] realChem@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

A lot of my classmates from undergrad chemical engineering went into pharma, so I'm not surprised there are a lot of them around!

I still have the chance to publish and attend conferences That's good! One of the things I've liked most about my time in grad school has been attending conferences and getting to meet the other people working in the field face-to-face. I hope that wherever I land after this will be happy to let me continue to attend conferences.

[–] hamtooth@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I’m a staff bioinformatics scientist at an academic institution, got my PhD a few years ago and wasn’t interested in a postdoc. I get to work on a huge range of research questions and lots of different technologies. It’s great!

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

Oh that's rad! What's it like being a staff scientist at an academic institution? I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do after I graduate – I know I'm not interested in pursuing the tenure track, but I haven't decided if I should go back into industry / look into staff science positions national labs / etc.

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