Scientific Computing Graduate Review

I build machine learning models for biological data analysis and validation. I implement new features, integrate my tooling with larger departmental projects, and work laissez-faire either in the office or not - but aim for three days weekly in the office. I train a model on a new experiment, and write papers/read new material in the meantime.

It depends on the line manager and project, but in general you are responsible for a project which has meaningful goals towards the group and department, which motivates the LM to help you out when you need it since it really is their budget on the line - graduates form a huge part of projects large and small, meaning you can have responsibility for really cutting edge stuff.

Working at one of the national labs has many perks, but the high training budget is one - including courses at Oxford and multi-week international training courses on engineering/scientific disciplines. You also get proximity to the facilities, unique instruments with very unique users - very few people get the privilege of seeing a beamline, let alone using one. The environment is very academic, and the people are consistently interesting.

I've had a constant line to various LMs or technical contacts as necessary. My recent project has seen me in very close collaboration with machine learning specialists and biochemists, and in general scientific teams have a very "flat" management chain - you're all in the same room, doing similar work, so I can ask anyone from fellow grads to the group leader for assistance without issue.

Scientific, slightly geeky, and generally lots of fun. Inclusive and welcoming. There is free coffee and doughnuts on Thursdays.

I still work there and it's really good. It's a very different style of work to traditional corporate, but you're still on the cutting edge and it's great.

Yes