I first came to Otago as an exchange student during my undergraduate studies. There's a really nice atmosphere at Otago since the university is large enough to be recognised internationally, but still small enough to feel homely. I absolutely fell in love with Dunedin and I was offered a scholarship to come back to Otago to do a PhD once I had finished my MSc in Sweden.
My PhD project was in theoretical quantum mechanics. I performed numerical simulations of something called a Bose-Einstein condensate, which is a phenomenon that can occur in dilute gases if they are cooled down close to absolute zero (-273°C). During my PhD, the thing I enjoyed the most was probably going to seminars and conferences to meet other researchers and to hear about what else was happening in the field.
After my PhD I got a job as a Research Officer for the Swedish Research Council. My work is focused on large-scale research infrastructures in the areas of subatomic physics and astronomy, such as particle accelerators and telescopes. A part of my job is to coordinate the peer-review process for deciding on funding; I also handle Sweden's involvement in many of the international organisations that run these facilities, including representing the Swedish government on a number of boards and councils.
Having a PhD in physics was a prerequisite for my current job, but I don't often use my knowledge of Bose-Einstein condensates! It's the general skills I picked up that are transferrable, such as a wide understanding of physics and physics research, problem solving skills and organisational skills.
My best advice for someone thinking of doing a PhD? Pick your supervisor carefully! When doing a PhD, your relationship with your supervisor can really make or break your project. I was really lucky in that my supervisor was completely committed to my project and we got along – and still get along – really well.