Paul Buckley is a past pupil of Coláiste Muire. This year, he started his PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry. Paul kindly agreed to answer some questions we had on how he decided on a career in Chemistry and showing us what his job looks like on a normal day.
Interview questions by Eireann Griffin and Abby O'Donnell. Well done girls.
Interview questions by Eireann Griffin and Abby O'Donnell. Well done girls.
What inspired you to pick your career?
The main inspiration for picking my career was the project which I would be working on. It's a national campaign measuring emissions from domestic fuel burning. The opportunity to work on a campaign, the results of which will be debated in the Dáil, have national policy implications and possibly even shape European policy about air quality really helped me with my decision to enter research. I also have a strong interest in the health effects of air quality and this job allows me to continue researching the topic.
How long was your college course?
My college course was four years; I did the Chemistry course in UCC. The PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry will take at least four years to complete.
My college course was four years; I did the Chemistry course in UCC. The PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry will take at least four years to complete.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Like every job there are certain challenging aspects. Conducting a measurement campaign involves a lot of logistical and practical difficulties which can be difficult to overcome. It can also involve spending long periods of time alone. A six week campaign utilizing ten instruments produces a lot of data which takes a very long time to analyse. There are also some safety concerns with the job, while I don't work with any hazardous chemicals I do work with some very high powered lasers which, if handled incorrectly, can cause serious injury.
Like every job there are certain challenging aspects. Conducting a measurement campaign involves a lot of logistical and practical difficulties which can be difficult to overcome. It can also involve spending long periods of time alone. A six week campaign utilizing ten instruments produces a lot of data which takes a very long time to analyse. There are also some safety concerns with the job, while I don't work with any hazardous chemicals I do work with some very high powered lasers which, if handled incorrectly, can cause serious injury.
Whats the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
The most enjoyable aspect of my job is the fact that there are a lot of opportunities for travel. Once a campaign is finished and the data has been analysed there are many conferences, both in Ireland and abroad. This year the group which I am part of will be attending at least two conferences, an Environmental Science Association of Ireland conference in Limerick and a European Air Quality conference in France. Also, there are many opportunities to visit other universities to go on courses or conduct research. For example, I will be travelling to Japan and the University of Kyoto to study for three weeks.
The most enjoyable aspect of my job is the fact that there are a lot of opportunities for travel. Once a campaign is finished and the data has been analysed there are many conferences, both in Ireland and abroad. This year the group which I am part of will be attending at least two conferences, an Environmental Science Association of Ireland conference in Limerick and a European Air Quality conference in France. Also, there are many opportunities to visit other universities to go on courses or conduct research. For example, I will be travelling to Japan and the University of Kyoto to study for three weeks.
What is your job title?
I am a Postgraduate Researcher in the Center for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry (CRAC) in UCC.
What is the key to success in your career?
The key to being a successful researcher is a lot of patience as
things can often not go according to plan and analyzing the data takes a lot of time to complete. Good computer
skills are also essential and an ability to fix any mechanical problems the
instruments may have. Good presentation skills are essential as the results of
the project have to presented at many conferences and meetings, often in front
of large crowds of people.
What did you like the most about Junior Cert Science?
In Junior Cert science it was the chemistry section which mainly caught my attention, in particular the introductions to Atomic Structure and Bonding. I enjoyed the Light section of the Physics course and in the biology section I enjoyed learning about the various systems in the body.
In Junior Cert science it was the chemistry section which mainly caught my attention, in particular the introductions to Atomic Structure and Bonding. I enjoyed the Light section of the Physics course and in the biology section I enjoyed learning about the various systems in the body.
In Leaving Cert science I took Chemistry and Physics. In Chemistry I again enjoyed the Atomic Structure and Molecular Structure sections, I also enjoyed the Atmospheric Chemistry section and the Environmental Chemistry section on water. In Physics I enjoyed learning about Light, its various properties and how to manipulate it, I also enjoyed the section on Modern Physics learning about the electron, nucleus and nuclear energy. I found the Particle Physics section to be the most interesting part of the Physics course.
What other subjects did you enjoy in secondary school?
I obviously enjoyed Chemistry in secondary school but I also really enjoyed Physics. Outside of science, I really enjoyed History and French.
Thank you Paul for taking the time to answer all our questions!
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