Page 8 - Periodic Issue 02

A Day in the Li fe

of a Part II Researcher

Name: Olivia McDermott

College: Hertford

Group: Professor Dermot O’Hare

a spin coater on the first floor. Although I began my project
with a few broad aims, these are constantly evolving and
so I’m never entirely sure what I will be doing next! The days
are also broken up with departmental seminars or group
meetings, providing the opportunity for a change in scenery.
In the lulls, there’s time to read papers, attempt to write a
thesis chapter or do some covert Facebook checking.

The Part II year is often seen as a chance to test out life as a
DPhil student - I have had the opportunity to experience the
highs and lows of research. There are days when everything
goes well; the equipment is free and positive results are
forthcoming. However, there are weeks when everything
seems to go wrong, be it through my own clumsiness or just
because the science isn’t working.

The degree of independence of the Part II year varies
from group to group. I have found it something akin to the
tutorial system, with guidance and a framework given by my
supervisor, followed by some hard work and investigation by
myself before coming back with some results for feedback
and discussion. However, I don’t feel like I’m really working
entirely alone; not only is my supervisor happy to help out,
Layered Double Hydroxide
but I also have the rest of my research group on hand to
support me.
Tales of the fabled fourth year project have sustained many a
tired chemist through finals; we’re told there’ll be weekends There’s also a social dimension to the Part II year. Being in
off, evenings free, and finally all the seemingly random theory a research group means that I have become part of a team
will be put into practice. who work together and often relax together; there have been
several memorable evenings out, and I’m sure there are more
To some extent, that’s true, although my colleagues may to come!
disagree about how sociable the working hours are! Fourth
year is certainly a departure from the routine of the past three In many ways, the Part II year is a natural progression from
years, with no lectures or tutorials, and it’s lovely not to have third year; still hard work, still learning from the best, but also
the spectre of an uncompleted problem set hanging over moving forward and contributing, in a small way, to the body
you. Due to the applied and specialised nature of the project, of scientific knowledge.
all the theories and equations really do start to fit together,
which is very rewarding.

Clichéd as it may seem, there isn’t really a typical day. I’ll The 100 year anniversary of the Part II year is
work roughly 9 until 5 in the Chemistry Research Laboratory fast approaching. Join the Department in 2016
every day, but that’s one of the few certainties. My project to celebrate the centenary of Oxford’s ‘pure
focuses on solid state chemistry, meaning that I could be research’ undergraduate year, and 100 years of
synthesising solids in my fume hood on the second floor, chemistry in the Dyson Perrins Laboratory.
carrying out X-Ray Diffraction in the basement, or even using
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Periodic The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry