My UNIQ+ experience: Miles McFarlane spent seven weeks embedded in the Mechanics of Materials lab

In 2024, the Department of Engineering Science welcomed students as part of UNIQ+. The programme offers talented undergraduates and recently graduated students from under-represented groups, who would find continuing into postgraduate study a challenge for reasons other than their academic ability, the opportunity to experience what it would be like to study at postgraduate level.

Miles McFarlane joined Professor Emilio Martínez-Pañeda’s Mechanics of Materials Lab for seven weeks last year to work on the project ‘A new generation of multi-physics models for material degradation and failure’ and staying at Hertford College. He says, “My project was on using machine learning and multi-physics modelling to understand how materials fracture due to environmental factors like hydrogen. I modelled the physics behind a well-known experiment that measures hydrogen diffusion rates in high-strength materials.”

“One of my biggest challenges was getting my machine learning models to accurately represent simpler physical systems. I had to try different models to fix this. [I] also ran into a bunch of coding errors, mainly because I hadn’t really applied programming in a scientific setting before, but working through them was a great learning experience."

"I picked up a lot - developed my machine learning skills, learnt how to use GitHub for version control, and got a better understanding of why hybrid approaches to material testing are important"

The programme aims to give students the opportunity to experience and develop skills that are useful at postgraduate level. Miles says, “During the internship, I picked up a lot - developed my machine learning skills, learnt how to use GitHub for version control, and got a better understanding of why hybrid approaches to material testing are important. Experiments can be super inaccurate, difficult to control, and expensive (especially when high pressures are needed), whereas computational simulations can help overcome some of those issues.”

It is hoped the skills and experience UNIQ+ participants gain will enhance both their CV and any future postgraduate applications. Miles is now about to start a CDT (MRes + PhD) n the Photonics and Electronics group at Cambridge/UCL. He says, “The UNIQ+ internship definitely helped, it added to my research profile, got me used to the faster pace of research, and gave me a better idea of career paths that start in academia and how projects can evolve”.

"The UNIQ+ internship ... added to my research profile, got me used to the faster pace of research, and gave me a better idea of career paths that start in academia and how projects can evolve”

Miles says he would recommend the UNIQ+ programme to others, even if they feel they are not as qualified as other undergraduates. “If you’re thinking of applying, just go for it. I felt underqualified compared to others with high firsts and less of a gap in research experience since graduating (I had a 2:1). Just talk about any research experience you have, even if it’s not directly related, and focus on what you enjoyed and what you want to get out of UNIQ+”.

There are also social activities and information sessions built into the programme, where participants can meet current postgraduate students. Miles adds, “The talks and info sessions with PhD/CDT students at Oxford were really useful. Get involved, ask loads of questions, and take advantage of extracurricular stuff like the board game club and punting. And when people give talks or presentations - make the most of those opportunities and ask them everything you can.”

“The talks and info sessions with PhD/CDT students at Oxford were really useful. Get involved, ask loads of questions, and take advantage of extracurricular stuff"

Professor Martínez-Pañeda says, "It was a pleasure to host Miles in the group, he is a very enthusiastic student. We typically host 4-5 summer undergraduate interns, and the experience is always excellent. I believe that they have a great time, presenting their work to the group and joining our social events. They get a taste for what a research career looks like and many of them go on to do a DPhil in our group. It is a win-win!".

“The best part for me was [doing] the two presentations”, Miles reflects. “I got to present in the Engineering Science department alongside Doctoral and Postdoctoral students, and also to my UNIQ+ peers. Adapting my presentation style for both audiences was a challenge but actually really fun.”