PhD student at the Tyndall National Institute, UCC
Susannah Heck - physics and semiconductors
What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?
The summer of my third year in UCCÂ I decided I wanted to get some practical experience in science and so – having received a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) undergraduate award – I worked with the Photonic Systems Group in UCC on optical receivers in fibre-based optical telecommunication.
That work helped me choose the area for my final year project, which I carried out in that same research group but this time working on Passive Optical Networks for all optical access.
While working in optical systems I became aware that there were things I didn’t understand about the packaged semiconductor devices I was working with.
One of the courses in my final year helped tie in a lot of the physics studied in previous years and show how it could be applied to understand semiconductor devices.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
My parents have always been very supportive. Some teachers in school (physics, maths, applied maths and chemistry mainly) did play a part too. Some made science interesting, challenging and fun for Transition Year and the senior cycle.
Science was also made interesting at a younger age in primary school. I remember being impressed by the inside of a piano in third class.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
Yes. I am a funded PhD student and can live quite well. My lifestyle is quite “studenty” and it suits me at the moment.
Like a lot of PhD students/young professionals, I live in a shared house in Cork city centre. Doing a PhD has given me a broader view on a lot of things as well as the opportunity to travel to conferences/meetings to meet other researchers and present my work.
What’s “cool” about your work?
The rewarding part of the work can be getting something to work in the lab which has not been working, getting a new result or a new understanding of a result as well as being accepted to present or publish the work.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
Curiosity, organisation, a good work ethic, and patience.
What is your education to date?
I took all three sciences to Leaving Certificate level. In retrospect, I should have done applied maths instead of business
Single Honours degree in Physics, currently working towards a PhD
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
One of the courses in my final year helped tie in a lot of the physics studied in previous years, and showed how it could be applied to understanding semiconductor devices.
What is your dream job?
Good question. I think as long as you enjoy something and don’t dread going into work/college, it’s worth sticking with.
At the moment, I cannot see myself as anything else other than a researcher, but that may change if it gets to the stage where I do not enjoy it.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
If you enjoy research and are not worried about the thought of four years on a project, I’d go for it. The one thing, however, that should not be overlooked is that research is not a one man-show.
Make sure to get on with your supervisor, colleagues and collaborators. Always make sure they know what you’re at and that there are not misunderstandings
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
Transition Year work experience and undergrad summer research programmes.
