Is this programme right for you?

Why did you choose this programme, specialising in geophysics?
– I chose a programme specialising in geophysics because it covers a wide range of earth-science research topics. There are so many interesting geophysics research topics to study, from applied geophysics, and computational geophysics, to rock physics, and I have a desire to explore more of these.

What is most interesting about geophysics?
– There are still a lot of things about our planet that remain unclear, especially in the earth's subsurface. What makes geophysics both important and interesting is that scientists do not need to go inside the earth to study its subsurface. Geophysics allows us to study the earth as well as what’s inside by using geophysics tools. Geophysical methods, such as seismology, make exploring the unexplored part of the earth possible.

Tell us about the programme!
– The programme offers an opportunity for students to have both laboratory and fieldwork experience. The syllabus covers a broad range of geophysics, from theoretical to practical. It also gives the students a chance to learn the inversion method, which is fundamental in computational geophysics. I am also learning coding in my studies, which is essential for modelling and analysing geophysical data. In my final semester, I get a chance to study the seismic properties of “shocked” minerals from the meteorite impact crater.

What do you like the most about the programme?
– I like that it combines theoretical and practical knowledge, which means that I do not only get the theory but also a chance to do a geophysicist’s real work, such as working in the field, and acquiring and analysing data in the lab. Another thing I like about studying here is that every teacher is an expert in their field of geophysics. All of them are humble and kind to share their knowledge with their students and they take time to answer the students’ curious questions.

What is the atmosphere in the programme?
– The atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. Also, several times I have had courses with students from different programmes which has allowed me to get to know new students and exchange knowledge about what we are currently studying. There are also student nations where students in Uppsala can get to know each other and socialise.

What is the job market after graduating?
– The job prospects for geophysics graduates are good. You can choose if you want to continue your studies and work in a research or academic institution or work in the industry. Several companies offer internships to graduate students in geophysics or a Graduate Trainee Programme within their companies. There are always opportunities for geophysics graduates to expand their knowledge and skills after they finish their studies.

Three quick questions
How do you like Uppsala as a city?
– For me, Uppsala is a quiet city that is very suitable for students to come here and study. Another thing I like is the people. Even though they do not know me and I do not know them, they do not hesitate to smile and greet me first, when we pass each other on the street.

Do you have any good tips for new students?
– Be open-minded and ready to learn and adapt. When we study in a country outside our home country, it often gets difficult to adapt to a new environment.

What do you hope to do in 5 years?
– In 5 years, I hope that I have finished my doctoral degree and started contributing to science by working as a geoscientist in a research institution and teaching geophysics to college students.

Spring 2022.

Can you explain what geophysics is to someone who doesn’t know?
– Geophysics means that you use physics to understand the earth. It may be that you are trying to understand physical phenomena such as plate tectonics and the earth's magnetic field, but also to study and measure the physical properties of rocks (such as density, electrical conductivity or magnetic susceptibility) to map e.g. groundwater reservoirs, mineral deposits, fracture zones and other underground structures.

What made you choose to study geophysics?
– I like physics and thought it sounded exciting to study something more concrete, something that you might be able to touch and understand more easily (unlike more mysterious things like quarks and string theory). I tried a course in global geophysics and after that I was stuck! I attended the Bachelor's programme in Physics and took some geophysics courses during the last year. Then I continued with the Master's programme in geophysics.

What was the best thing about the programme?
– The best thing was that the programme was so versatile and that we got to read about so many different subjects, everything from seismology and earthquakes to electromagnetic geophysics and inversion theory.

What does the labour market look like? Was it easy to find a job?
– My experience is that there are not so many advertisements for jobs in geophysics, but at the same time there are not so many geophysicists either. It may depend a bit on what you want to work in, but there are, for example, good opportunities to study further as a doctoral student. Further, SGU (Geological Survey of Sweden) has opportunities in geophysics and there are also jobs in mineral exploration and geotechnics. I got a job pretty quickly after graduation, but I don’t know if it was easy or if I was lucky that the job just appeared timely.

Are there any international career opportunities?
– Yes, there absolutely is. Even if I'm not so familiar with what that market looks like. But at work, we often collaborate with companies and universities from other countries that also work with geophysics.

Where do you work now? Tell us a little about what you do.
– I work as a geophysicist in mineral exploration at Boliden Gruvor. I plan geophysical measurements and process results from these measurements to find new mineral deposits. The ore we are looking for are often good electrical conductors and we can use electromagnetic methods to find them, we make measurements both on the ground and inside boreholes.

Have you had any contact with Uppsala University since you graduated?
– Yes, I took the course "Electromagnetic Methods in Deep Mineral Exploration" recently. As an alumnus, it is fun to keep in touch with your former teachers and it is rewarding to be able to continuously learn more in the subject. It was my old teacher and supervisor who asked me to be a part of this interview.

Your best advice for someone considering studying geophysics?
– Try it! If you like physics and mathematics and want to know more about how the earth works, this is the right choice!

Spring 2022.

Can you explain what geophysics is to someone who doesn’t know?
– In geophysics, we try to understand the earth's interior, its properties and behaviour. The methods used are many, for example, seismology, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. The same methods are used when we examine other planets and moons in the universe. Through measuring with these methods, we can produce 3D models of the earth's geological structure. The information can be used for many different things, ranging from community planning and secure infrastructure from natural disasters to environmental research or exploration of natural resources such as metals or groundwater.

What made you choose to study geophysics?
– I was interested in physics during high school and wanted to continue with physics. When I was going to choose a university degree, I came to the conclusion that the Bachelor's programme in physics would suit me. The programme provides a broad base in physics and then there is the opportunity to specialise, in my case in geophysics. I was first admitted to the Bachelor's programme in physics with the specialisation in physics but chose to change my specialisation to geophysics during the programme.

What was the best thing about the programme?
– The best thing about the programme was that you get to see the theories put into practice. During the Bachelor's programme, one acquires solid theoretical knowledge which one then has to learn to apply directly to geophysical problems. In addition, I like to be outdoors and in geophysics you often have the opportunity to collect data outdoors. There was also very good contact between the students and the lecturers and researchers we had during the courses, which made it easy to find interesting project work.

What does the labour market look like, was it easy to find a job?
– The labour market for a geophysicist looks quite good and there is a need for geophysicists both in the industry and in academia. It is particularly interesting now when it comes to the green transition that is being implemented throughout society. A deeper understanding is needed of how the earth reacts to different processes. When converting to renewable energy, our society needs large amounts of natural resources to be able to produce batteries and other electronic equipment, which requires knowledge in geophysics. In the industry, geophysicists are also needed, in exploration work in the mining industry or preliminary investigations of soil and rock in major construction projects.

For me, it was relatively easy to find a job; I had talked to both my supervisor for my Bachelor’s thesis and my supervisor for the Master's thesis that I was considering a doctorate. I received a lot of help in finding and applying for advertised doctoral student positions, both in Sweden and abroad. Of these positions, I got a doctoral position at Luleå University of Technology and started there about 14 days after I finished my Master's.

Where do you work now? Tell us a little about what you are doing.
– I am a doctoral student in exploration geophysics at Luleå University of Technology (LTU). I work with something called "Common Earth modelling" (CEM). It is about merging different types of geophysical and geological data into a coherent model of the earth. It involves a lot of programming and thinking at the office, combined with fieldwork where I get the opportunity to spend a lot of time outdoors to collect my data.

Have you had any contact with Uppsala University since you graduated?
– Yes! It is not been so long since I graduated, spring semester of 2021, but I am a member of both Uppsala University's alumni association and the programme specific alumni association (UPAN). As a current doctoral student, I have also continuous contact with the teachers and researchers at Uppsala University who are active in my field.

Your best advice for someone who is considering studying geophysics?
– Make sure to have fun during your studies. You can complete the studies as long as you spend the time recommended for the courses. Be sure to participate in one of Uppsala's many student associations, such as the student union for engineering and science (UTN), the sections, the student nations or something completely different! It takes some time but in my opinion, it is definitely worth it.

Spring 2022.