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Ethan started his PhD just after graduating in 2024. Since then he has been on training sessions with the Fusion Power CDT at several universities around the UK and working on his PhD Project, supervised by Professor Chris Race. 

What are your responsibilities in your current or most recent role?

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, under the supervision of Prof. Christopher Race, as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fusion Power. My research focuses on the multi-scale modelling of materials in extreme environments, with a particular emphasis on the behaviour of dislocations in the presence of abundant point defects in crystalline materials. This work is crucial for understanding and improving the performance of materials used in nuclear fusion reactor components, where extreme conditions pose significant challenges to material integrity and longevity.

Please give a brief overview of your career path since graduation.

I started my PhD just after graduation in 2024. Since then I've been on training with the Fusion Power CDT at several universities around the UK and working on my PhD Project.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role or your greatest career achievement so far?

One of the most rewarding experiences during my career so far was publishing a journal article as a undergraduate student. My dissertation supervisor, Dr. Meurig Thomas, and I published an article relating to my dissertation in Materials Science and Technology, a journal hosted by the Institute of Materials, Mining and Minerals, earlier this year (accepted Dec 2024, posted Jan 2025). The article is titled "".

The work focuses on the automated classification of microstructural defects, which are common in additively manufactured materials and can significantly impact their bulk properties. Building on the , we explored alternative methods to manual classification, which is labour-intensive and costly. In this study, we discuss methods for dataset creation, augmentation, and hyperparameter optimisation to improve classification performance.

Thinking back to your degree, how did it prepare you for your current role?

My degree provided ample opportunities to develop both hands-on engineering skills and a strong theoretical foundation, equipping me with the tools needed for advanced research. Through a combination of practical labs, coursework, and projects, I gained a good understanding of simulation techniques like Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which has been useful in my work. My final year project allowed me to explore my interest in machine learning and materials science, giving me the space to apply computational methods to real-world engineering challenges. These experiences have directly prepared me for my PhD in multiscale materials modelling, enabling me to approach complex problems from multiple perspectives and leverage a diverse set of techniques to develop innovative solutions.

If you were a part of our engineering societies, how did this experience prepare you for your career path?

Leading the analysis team on Project Sunride and being a member of Project Hex provided me with invaluable opportunities to develop both technical expertise and essential soft skills. As the analysis team lead, I honed my leadership and teamwork abilities, coordinating efforts across disciplines to tackle complex engineering challenges. These projects allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from lectures to real-world problems, particularly in simulation and structural analysis, while also experiencing the full design cycle from concept to final build. Being actively involved in these engineering societies not only deepened my understanding of hands-on engineering and problem-solving but also prepared me to work effectively in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments—an experience that has been instrumental in shaping my career path and research.