Please go to http://jamesplank.co.uk/cv for a better view of this CV.
  • Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • University of Southampton
  • Southampton, United Kingdon
  • SO17 1BJ

Technical Skills

Skilled in:

  • Python
  • Git
  • AWS
  • Google Firebase
  • CAD (AutoCAD & Fusion 360)
  • Javascript
  • Typescript
  • Adobe Suite

Familiar with:

  • C/C++
  • Fortran
  • IDL
  • OpenMP
  • Apache Groovy

Education

2020-2024

DPhil Doctorate of Philosophy - Physics

University of Southampton

Fluid Dynamics · Turbulence · Magnetohydrodynamics · Satellite Systems · Simulation · Kinetic Theory · Electrodynamics

2016-2020

MPhys Physics with Astronomy

University of Southampton

Signal Processing · Linear algebra · Computing · Statistics · Quantum Physics · Thermodynamics · Electrodynamics · Plasma Physics

A-Levels in Computing, Maths, Physics and Photography | Peter Symonds College, Winchester

Interests

  • I'm a keen runner currently training for half marathon to ultramarathon distance races, as well as multi-day trips on some of the UK's most iconic paths and ways
  • Often writing code for fun, check my GitHub for some examples.
  • Keen photographer
  • Slowly getting better at bouldering

I am a PhD researcher currently working at the University of Southampton. My interests are in problems at the frontier of physics and computer science. I have particularly enjoyed roles working with RF communications, embedded programming, and HPC simulations.

Employment

PhD Researcher | University of Southampton | 2020-2024

Python · Fortran · Git · C++ · OpenMP

I applied cutting-edge simulation techniques to the study of turbulence in magnetised plasmas, which I verified through analysis of in-situ satellite observations from NASA satellites. I have had the opportinuty to speak at multiple UK and international conferences, as well as publish original research in peer-reviewed journals, and collaborate with others, providing valuable feedback and expertise. I also teach physics and programming to undergraduate physicists.

Software Engineering Contractor | Pytri | 2022-present

Typescript · Javascript · SQL · AWS · Python

Full-stack software engineer, working on projects in the healthcare and sports industries.

Startup CTO | The Running Algorithm | 2020

Typescript · Javascript · Firebase · AWS

I was responsible for tech demos to investors as well as creating marketing material for customers and to obtain seed funding. I was also the lead technical engineer for designing scientifically-motivated algorithms and the full-stack web development and cloud architecture. Here I took the opportunity to work on a passion of mine, the sports science involved in optimising the training of runners. We wanted to grow a company as much as possible in the few months I had in-between finishing my Master's and starting a PhD. We grew to several thousand users and £5,000+ in successful funding before we had to shut down when the PhD became too time consuming.

Engineering Intern | In-Space | 2019 & 2020

Fusion 360 · Python · Groovy · Git (Bitbucket) · Circuitry · Embedded Programming

Involved in a variety of engineering projects in the lead up to the launch of the FARADAY-1 satellite. Worked on pojects such as: 1) Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT), particularly RF interference testing under different flight configurations. Involved SDR scripting and FPGA programming. 2) Design of a "flatsat" replica of spacecraft hardware, used for development and debugging. Led the entire design life-cycle (under light sanity-check supervision), inc. initial CAD drawings, production of BoM, procurement, assembly and testing. 3) Physics problems, e.g. Doppler-shift predictions for S-Band broadcast freqs across groundstation flyby. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with and learn from people, all with a great passion and decades of experience.

Summer Studentship | University of Southampton | 2017 & 2018

Python · IDL · UI · Outreach

I worked on a public outreach project, Aurora Zoo, where members of the public identify patterns in the Aurora filmed by a camera situated in Svalbard, in the arctic circle.

Oral Presentations

  • Autumn MIST, London, UK, 2023
  • European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 2023, 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-6971
  • MMS Community Workshop, Florida, USA, 2022, link
  • Autumn MIST, London, UK, 2022
  • National Astronomy Meeting, Warwick, UK, 2022
  • MMS Community Workshop, New Hampshire, USA, 2021
  • National Astronomy Meeting, 2021
  • Autumn MIST, 2021

Publications

Plank, J., & Gingell, I. L. (2023). Intermittency at Earth's bow shock: Measures of turbulence in quasi-parallel and quasi-perpendicular shocks. Physics of Plasmas, 30(8). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0160439

Gingell, I., Schwartz, S. J., Kucharek, H., Farrugia, C. J., Fryer, L. J., Plank, J., & Trattner, K. J. (2023). Hybrid simulations of the decay of reconnected structures downstream of the bow shock. Physics of Plasmas, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0129084

Coxon, J. C., Fear, R. C., Reidy, J. A., Fryer, L. J., & Plank, J. (2021). Hot Plasma in the Magnetotail Lobes Shows Characteristics Consistent With Closed Field Lines Trapped in the Lobes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126(9). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021ja029516