"The most important is that I work with something that fosters creativity and is mentally stimulating"

Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?

- My name is Emma, and I am a PhD student at Umeå university. In 2022, I received my master's degree diploma in mathematics from Lund University and I have previously earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the same university. My dream has, ever since high school, been to be a researcher in the future, and that lead me to apply for the bachelor's program in physics. As I was studying, however, I quickly noticed that mathematics was something I enjoyed more.  What I like about mathematics is that it is creative and at the same time clear and logical. It’s a bit like creating art, but with logic instead of paint. My master’s project was in differential geometry, and I am now working with a PhD topic within geometric deep learning.

Why did you choose to pursue a PhD and what motivated you to choose Umeå and Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics for your PhD?

- I have always wanted to be a researcher and pursuing a PhD is a part of that goal. When I was looking for positions, I focused more on the mathematical topics being advertised than the universities themselves. I knew from my master’s project that I enjoyed differential geometry and the topic being advertised was about using this topic in the context of neural network models, which seemed interesting. After the application and some interviews, I got the position and ended up here, which I am happy about.

Was it a big adjustment to get used to PhD studies compared to undergraduate studies?

- It was a big adjustment in several ways. For one, I needed to get used to a new university and get to know new people. Moreover, PhD studies are different from undergraduate studies since you are not only taking courses but also doing research and teaching, for example. Being a PhD student is also a bigger responsibility than being an undergraduate student, since you are not only a student but also employed.

Where are you from and how was it to move to Umeå?

- I grew up close to Gothenburg but have lived in Lund for several years due to my studies there. Moving here was quite cumbersome because of the distance. It was a long ride, and I had a lot of things to bring. But it was worth it because it has given me the opportunity to experience a new city and work with something I enjoy.

Can you describe your research?

- I am working within a field called geometric deep learning, which is a subfield of machine learning and AI. Machine learning is an emerging field that has shown tremendous success during the past years, but there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to developing an understanding for neural network models from a mathematical perspective. The topic that my supervisor and I are working on right now is about incorporating symmetries into so-called neural ordinary differential equations.

What's the most challenging part of PhD research?

- In contrast to undergraduate studies, many of the problems you work with when doing PhD research have not been worked with before. Therefore, you don’t always know if what you do will work and you can’t compare your results to someone else’s. Because of this, my experience is that it feels harder to know what is expected of you. It’s different from only taking courses, where you go to lectures, solve problems with answers and then get to know how well you did on an exam.

What has been the most rewarding experience so far?

- So far, I think it has been rewarding to acquire new knowledge and to be able to be part of an emerging research field.

Can you describe a typical day in your life as a PhD student?

- I usually get to the university around eight in the morning. Most of the time is spent at the office, where I solve problems, read articles, write, or code for my research project. If I have teaching or a lecture that day, I will attend those. If my supervisor and I have something to discuss, we may meet to talk. I usually go home from work around five in the afternoon.

Have you been teaching? what was your experience of it?

- Yes, I have been a teaching assistant in three courses so far. I have enjoyed it, since I like to help other people understand a topic more and watch them grow in their learning. Teaching is also a good way to force your mind away from the research for a while, which can be a good thing if you feel stuck on a problem.

What are your career goals post-PhD?

- Right now, my aim is to stay in academia and continue to do research and teaching. I do, however, think it’s important to have an open mind about what the future might hold. The most important, I think, is that I work with something that fosters creativity and is mentally stimulating.

What do you like to do when you're not working on your 

- I have always enjoyed different creative activities. I especially like writing novels and painting. I also sew and used to take dance classes. Other things I like to do in my spare time include exercising at the gym, hanging out with my partner, and taking care of our pets.

What advice would you give to someone considering a PhD here in Umeå?

- I think it’s a good idea to read about the different research groups and see if there is anything you find interesting. Ask the researchers at the department about what they do, since it will not only give you more knowledge about what they are doing, but also show them that you are interested. I think most of them would be happy to talk to you about their research. You should also make sure that you check the website regularly to see if a new position is being advertised, since you will need to apply for a position and get hired to become a PhD student.