The post: Astrophysicist, Armagh Observatory & Planetarium
The post holder: Dr Erin Higgins
A passion for science and astronomy led Erin Higgins into her career as an astrophysicist.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I am currently a Post-Doctoral researcher at the Armagh Observatory, after completing my PhD at the Armagh Observatory in conjunction with the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, as part of a cross-border collaboration.
What was your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subject was definitely Physics but I also loved Music and Maths.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I have a Bachelors degree in Physics & Astrophysics at Queen’s University, Belfast. I then completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at QUB, teaching secondary-level Physics.
How did you get into your area of work?
When I was at school in Thornhill College, Derry, my teachers Mr. Abbott and Dr. O’Donnell set up an Astronomy club which I was part of. I did a GCSE in Astronomy and I really enjoyed doing evening observations of the Moon and Jupiter, so my teachers really inspired me to take up a career in Astrophysics.
I did work experience at the Armagh Observatory when I was 17 and I absolutely loved it. I went on to do my degree in Physics & Astrophysics but I was teaching piano and flute at the time and I really enjoyed it so I then thought about teaching Physics.
I did my PGCE but I really missed the astronomy aspect, so I returned to Armagh during my PGCE for a placement and confirmed that this is what I wanted to do.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
From the age when I questioned what I wanted to do, I always wanted to do astronomy, but when I was younger I wanted to be architect as my mammy is an interior designer owning Poplar Design. However, I quickly learned that I wasn’t very good at art, so I stuck to the science route! I think having my PGCE has really helped in my career now as I have to make my research relatable to the public and to the wider science community.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
You need to have a Bachelor’s degree with a 2:1 in Physics or a related field, or a related Masters. The work experience is probably the most important part of academia. Research is quite different from other jobs, as it takes a lot of independence and long-term motivation.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
There are two neighbouring themes of astronomy. One route is residential scientists or engineers. They are often at telescope sites and you could be an astronomer on the ground working with observations. The other route is outreach and education, like the team that we have in the Armagh Planetarium. It’s such an important role as we work with schools and the public.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Be curious and stay curious. So whether that is trying to answer the big questions about the universe, or wanting to learn more – problem solving is a large aspect. Effectively communicating our research at international conferences and outreach events is also an important skill.
What does a typical day entail?
A day in the life of an astronomer is extremely difficult to define. Science is always changing and evolving. Generally, I will read newly published papers, work with my local group on the current projects, and collaborate with teams around the world whilst writing up papers of new results. It also involves applying to present recent work at conferences, applying for grants or writing telescope proposals for observing time. We also attend weekly seminars and connect with other institutes from across Ireland. I work on the evolution of the most massive stars, so I run sophisticated models of stars that become black holes.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The travel and the life experiences that come with the job are the best. When I started my PhD I was in New Zealand for two weeks and then lived in Santa Barbara for six weeks. In terms of challenges, it takes a lot of determination and starts with doing your PhD.
Why is what you do important?
Astronomy is the key to finding our place in the universe and understanding where we come from. We work as a global community and this unites nations towards answering the big questions. Consider the moon landings – nothing revolutionises the world the way that science does. I research the nature of massive stars, which sparks curiosity in many aspects of society, from the origin of elements which are crucial for our daily lives, to the new technologies built in the pursuit of understanding black holes.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/ role?
We have travelled a lot less, but we have been able to attend and host many more seminars with a wide range of speakers from around the world. We have been productive in our research too, as it has given us time to write lots of papers.
What adjustments have you had to make?
Astrophysics has never been a 9-5 job, so it lends itself to change – in this case it has been a time for progress. The flexibility of working in academia means that we can work anywhere around the world at any time, so we have always been good at keeping in touch.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
It’s a fantastic career option. Get work experience and try to get involved in summer projects. Read journals and keep up to date with new discoveries. Think about what field within Astronomy really excites you. Consider the personal advantages/disadvantages of travelling and different working styles.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
Something STEM-related, whether that is science outreach and education, or climate change research.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Don’t expect to know everything at once, there is a learning curve for everyone and it takes time to integrate into research, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Describe your ideal day off.
At the beach or on nature trails with my family in Derry or Donegal.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Be open minded, think about what you’re good at and what you can learn – you can always develop your skills but consider what it is you enjoy. Be passionate about what you enjoy doing and don’t give up!
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