LIFD Early Career Researcher Spotlight: Oliver Jackson

Thesis title:

The Influence of Stratification and MHD Effects on Vortex Formation On Giant Planets

School/Faculty:

EPSRC CDT in Fluid Dynamics, School of Computer Science

Supervisors:

Dr Evy Kérsale, Professor David Hughes and Professor Chris Davies

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am coming to the end of my second year of the fluids CDT programme. Before joining, I did an undergraduate degree in Mathematics with Statistics at Heriot-Watt University. During my undergraduate degree I thoroughly enjoyed studying applied maths. I also had a strong interest in space, so I found the CDT the perfect opportunity to combine the two with its wide range of PhD programmes available. Outside of work I enjoy running, swimming and weight training.

What is your research about:

My research is motivated by the images of polar vortices taken by NASA’s Juno probe of Jupiter’s north and south pole. One theoretical explanation for the vortices is that they emerge because of convection, strongly influenced by rotation. My research considers the effect of magnetic fields and stratification on the onset of convection using numerical methods to improve our understanding of the mechanism that determines the depth to which these vortices extend in the atmosphere of giant planets such as Jupiter.

What did you wish you knew before starting a PhD:

Something I had not fully appreciated before starting a PhD was that your PhD is really your own. It’s your work and your time so you can choose how to approach it. Every project is different so don’t compare yourself to others and find a way to work that suits you, and that you can sustain over three years.

What are your plans for the future:

I am enjoying my PhD so far therefore I am looking forward to pursuing a postdoc in a related field. That said I still have a long way to go so I am keeping an open mind.