{"id":801,"date":"2026-04-01T14:51:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/gses\/?p=801"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:51:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:51:49","slug":"meet-our-graduates-jonathan-a-coastal-processes-scientist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/gses\/2026\/04\/01\/meet-our-graduates-jonathan-a-coastal-processes-scientist\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet our Graduates: Jonathan, a Coastal Processes Scientist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I studied Oceanography and Coastal Processes as an undergraduate degree and really enjoyed the coding and data science element and wanted to develop that further.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0what led to me to broaden my skillset, and I found the Applied Data Science and Modelling\u00a0MSc\u00a0programme<\/a> online.\u00a0I was already aware of Exeter\u2019s good reputation,\u00a0so I went\u00a0to the open day<\/a> at the University\u2019s Penryn Campus<\/a> and talked to the lecturers\u00a0about the course content. I found the applied focus of the course attractive, as I\u00a0felt it would provide me with more\u00a0experience and practical\u00a0knowledge,\u00a0I\u00a0could use in my\u00a0future\u00a0career.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the opportunity to use real data was my favourite aspect of the programme.\u00a0During one of the modules,\u00a0every two weeks\u00a0we\u2019d\u00a0work with\u00a0different\u00a0external partners who would\u00a0bring\u00a0data, explain the problem and then we were set off\u00a0in groups to\u00a0figure\u00a0out how to\u00a0answer a question and\u00a0get meaningful results. I found solving problems and getting hands on experience\u00a0very enjoyable. I also loved being in Penryn.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0close to the coast which suited me,\u00a0as I do quite a lot of water sports. It meant I could have a good balance between my studies and life outside that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my MSc research project, I developed\u00a0a control system for a wave energy converter. It was more engineering based, using MATLAB for simulations to try and maximise the amount of energy output. There are different pathways with the Applied Data Science MSc<\/a>, making it easy to introduce different topics, which is how I ended up working on something with\u00a0such strong renewable\u00a0energy\u00a0focus. You\u00a0were able to tailor your project to your interests.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working as a Coastal Processes Scientist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since graduating,\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0started working as a Coastal Processes Scientist at\u00a0South\u00a0West\u00a0Coastal Monitoring<\/a>.\u00a0We\u00a0are\u00a0based in Plymouth,\u00a0and\u00a0cover\u00a0the entire\u00a0South\u00a0West\u00a0England\u00a0coastline.\u00a0Knowledge\u00a0of data science, along with the ability to handle and present data are\u00a0very valuable\u00a0skills to have when\u00a0monitoring\u00a0coastal areas.\u00a0Coastlines are often very populated areas, especially in the\u00a0South\u00a0West\u00a0of\u00a0the UK, so\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important to know how best to protect and manage these areas.\u00a0South\u00a0West\u00a0Coastal\u00a0Monitoring collect and process\u00a0freely available, high quality, long-term\u00a0data, which can be used by anyone.\u00a0We collect a wide range of data types,\u00a0from topographic and LIDAR surveys\u00a0to hydrodynamics and meteorological\u00a0data. It can be quite\u00a0varied;\u00a0there is always something different or something new to learn.\u00a0There are always new ways of doing things,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0an evolving space which means there is lots of opportunity for me to input. The\u00a0role nicely combines\u00a0my undergraduate and my\u00a0master\u2019s\u00a0into one,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0been the ideal thing for me.\u00a0I feel like\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0having a\u00a0really positive\u00a0impact through my work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n