robjc
Aug 24, 2011
Graduate / PhD in Geoscience-Statement of research interests and personal goals [NEW]
I would be grateful for your suggestions to improve my SOP for a PhD in Geoscience. I am not a native speaker of English, hence concerned about mistakes in sentence construction and grammar.
Thanks a lot for your time and consideration.
I would like to pursue my doctoral studies at the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at XXXXX University. I am broadly interested in measuring active crustal deformation, understanding its implications and underlying physical mechanisms.
I have become interested in geodynamics during my master's degree in Earth Oriented Space Science and Technology(ESPACE) at the Technical University of Munich(TUM), Germany. ESPACE focus on connecting the know-how in spacecraft technology and orbit mechanics with applications in Earth System Science, Remote Sensing and Satellite Navigation. I majored in satellite navigation systems, and specialized in the models and processing strategies used for precise positioning applications. During this period, I regularly attended a weekly seminar series at the Geophysics department of Ludwig-Maximilians-Univeristy(LMU), Munich. Apart from getting to know about the state of the art in Geophysical research from scientists all over the world, attending the talks and discussions instilled in me a deep love for Geosciences. When I got an opportunity to select a topic for my Master's thesis, I chose to study the kinematics of the South African region by analyzing GPS data.
Working on my Master's thesis exposed me to the frustrations and joys associated with scientific research for the first time. I have used GPS data from a network of 43 stations in the South African network, TrigNET to derive the constraints on the kinematics of the Region. Although I could enhance my knowledge of models and strategies applied in estimating velocity vectors, I realized that I need to have a thorough knowledge in tectonics and geodynamics to interpret my results and understand its implications. I substantiated my knowledge, primarily from books and journal articles, and successfully concluded my thesis presenting my results in AGU Fall meeting. Altogether it was a new learning experience and by the time I completed my thesis, I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed this sort of work. When I look back, my struggles during this period paid well when I started working at the XX institute on a fellowship from the YY.
During my 2 years at XX, I focused on understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of crustal deformation around the Dead Sea Transform(DST) using GPS and numerical models. My work involved acquiring and processing GPS data from episodic as well as continuous observations around DST and developing a three dimensional(3D) elastic dislocation model based on Finite Element Method.
My interactions with a diverse group of scientists engaged in geophysical research at XX helped me develop a whole new perspective on doing scientific research. Working in XX also exposed me to the political and logistical challenges involved in organizing field-work across international borders.
After considering my aptitude and the type of work that I enjoy most, I am convinced that I want to take up a career of research in understanding crustal deformation processes. A doctoral degree would be just one step towards realising this goal. Afrer learning about the research interests of the faulty of Earth and Atmospheric Science, particularly of of Prof.A and Prof.B, I am convinced that XXXX will be an ideal place to pursue my doctoral degree.
With my interdisciplinary background, independent thinking, industriousness and enthusisam, I am confident that I will be able to contribute to my group as well as to the research community, on the whole. All that I need is an opportunity, an opening.
I would be grateful for your suggestions to improve my SOP for a PhD in Geoscience. I am not a native speaker of English, hence concerned about mistakes in sentence construction and grammar.
Thanks a lot for your time and consideration.
I would like to pursue my doctoral studies at the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at XXXXX University. I am broadly interested in measuring active crustal deformation, understanding its implications and underlying physical mechanisms.
I have become interested in geodynamics during my master's degree in Earth Oriented Space Science and Technology(ESPACE) at the Technical University of Munich(TUM), Germany. ESPACE focus on connecting the know-how in spacecraft technology and orbit mechanics with applications in Earth System Science, Remote Sensing and Satellite Navigation. I majored in satellite navigation systems, and specialized in the models and processing strategies used for precise positioning applications. During this period, I regularly attended a weekly seminar series at the Geophysics department of Ludwig-Maximilians-Univeristy(LMU), Munich. Apart from getting to know about the state of the art in Geophysical research from scientists all over the world, attending the talks and discussions instilled in me a deep love for Geosciences. When I got an opportunity to select a topic for my Master's thesis, I chose to study the kinematics of the South African region by analyzing GPS data.
Working on my Master's thesis exposed me to the frustrations and joys associated with scientific research for the first time. I have used GPS data from a network of 43 stations in the South African network, TrigNET to derive the constraints on the kinematics of the Region. Although I could enhance my knowledge of models and strategies applied in estimating velocity vectors, I realized that I need to have a thorough knowledge in tectonics and geodynamics to interpret my results and understand its implications. I substantiated my knowledge, primarily from books and journal articles, and successfully concluded my thesis presenting my results in AGU Fall meeting. Altogether it was a new learning experience and by the time I completed my thesis, I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed this sort of work. When I look back, my struggles during this period paid well when I started working at the XX institute on a fellowship from the YY.
During my 2 years at XX, I focused on understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of crustal deformation around the Dead Sea Transform(DST) using GPS and numerical models. My work involved acquiring and processing GPS data from episodic as well as continuous observations around DST and developing a three dimensional(3D) elastic dislocation model based on Finite Element Method.
My interactions with a diverse group of scientists engaged in geophysical research at XX helped me develop a whole new perspective on doing scientific research. Working in XX also exposed me to the political and logistical challenges involved in organizing field-work across international borders.
After considering my aptitude and the type of work that I enjoy most, I am convinced that I want to take up a career of research in understanding crustal deformation processes. A doctoral degree would be just one step towards realising this goal. Afrer learning about the research interests of the faulty of Earth and Atmospheric Science, particularly of of Prof.A and Prof.B, I am convinced that XXXX will be an ideal place to pursue my doctoral degree.
With my interdisciplinary background, independent thinking, industriousness and enthusisam, I am confident that I will be able to contribute to my group as well as to the research community, on the whole. All that I need is an opportunity, an opening.