Sidse Lærke Lolk is a Health Physicist/Helsefysiker at Danish Decommissioning/Dansk Dekommissionering
Where did you graduate from and with which degree?
I graduated from the Niels Bohr Institute at University of Copenhagen in 2020, with a masters degree in experimental material science, focusing on neutron scattering.
Please give a description of the work you do in your current position.
I work with radiation protection, in relation to radioactive waste and decommissioning (ie. dismantling) of the former nuclear research facilities at Risø, outside Roskilde. My role is mainly as an advisor in all questions regarding radiation and radiation protection. This can be quantitative, in the form of doing calculations for expected radiation levels and doses for decommissioning projects, or qualitative, in the form of giving advice regarding radiation protection principles in relation to e.g. waste management.
The position also involves a significant amount of teaching. This includes teaching colleagues both within and outside the company about the principles of radiation protection, and giving guided tours for the public at our facilities.
I love that my tasks are so diverse and that I get to be involved with so many parts of the process from the detailed calculations, to the large scale project planning, and on to teaching and outreach. It allows me to keep a broader perspective on our work and to apply my knowledge in many different ways.
What motivated you to study physics or engineering in the first place?
I think that I have always been curious about how the world works, and this curiosity has been driven forward by great teachers in my primary and secondary education. Understanding physical concepts fills me with such glee and awe, like doing the most satisfying puzzle.
What made you decide to pursue a career in the public sector?
When I searched for jobs after graduation, I actively sought out jobs in the public sector because I feel that it aligns with my personal values. It was difficult to imagine myself working for a company where the main goal might be to focus on making money to satisfy potential investors. To me, it is inherently meaningful to work with something that serves the greater good of the public. Working in the public sector fulfills that ideal for me, although I can imagine that some jobs in the private sector could fulfill that same ideal.
So when I saw the job posting for my current position, I was very excited for the opportunity to work in the public sector with one of my favorite subjects, radiation physics.
How do you use the skills you learned as a physicist or engineer in your work?
In my current work I rely heavily on my general understanding of physics, as well as the knowledge from some of the specific courses and projects I have done.
Even though I work with physics in a very direct way, I use many general skills gained during my education that can be applied to most other subjects besides physics: acquiring knowledge for specialized projects, doing analyses, calculations, programming, and communicating through teaching and writing reports.
What I really love about my work is how I have to translate between abstract physical concepts (many of which are quantum mechanical in origin), and practical advice and guidelines for my colleagues to follow, in order to perform their work safely. Working with people is absolutely the biggest joy in my everyday work.
What does being a physicist mean to you?
To me, a physicist is someone who sees the underlying physics in the world around them, is driven by curiosity, and is able to apply their knowledge and analytical mindset in the situations they encounter. Being a physicist is more a state of mind, than it is a profession.
What advice would you give to young people (in particular women and minorities) with a background in physics who would like to pursue a career in the public sector?
I think there are a lot of opportunities for people with a background in physics in the public sector. I feel like the public sector is hungry for physicists and others with an analytical mindset, who can translate between theory and reality.
My advice would be to have an open mindset when looking for job opportunities – few jobs have ‘physicist’ written all over them, but there are a lot of jobs that require a technical and analytical level that is fit for a physicist. You will be surprised in how many positions you can use your knowledge of physics, in combination with your other interests and hobbies.
kvinderifysik.dk 