AlanClark

I'm passionate about using data to solve complex, real-world problems. I have 6 years experience of developing cloud-native, data-driven products in a variety of programming languages and frameworks, with specialist skills as a Full Stack Data Scientist/Machine Learning Engineer. I've held roles in the energy, trading and consulting sectors, where I have proven my ability to deliver top quality products under pressure in fast-paced and ever-changing environments.

I recently obtained an MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, with Distinction. I further hold an MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, and was recognised as one of the top six graduating Chemical Engineers in the UK in 2015. I'm a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET), and a fellow of the Royal Statistical Society.

I'm a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at PhysicsX - a deep-tech company of scientists and engineers, developing machine learning applications to massively accelerate physics simulations and enable a new frontier of optimization opportunities in physical design and engineering.

A timeline detailing my career and education to date can be found below.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Oct 2022

PhysicsX is a deep-tech company of scientists and engineers, developing machine learning applications to massively accelerate physics simulations and enable a new frontier of optimization opportunities in physical design and engineering.

Born out of numerical physics and battle-hardened in Formula One, we help our customers radically improve their concepts and designs, transform their engineering processes and drive operational product performance. We do this in some of the most advanced and important industries of our time – including Space, Aerospace, Medical Devices, Additive Manufacturing, Electric Vehicles, Motorsport, and Renewables. We work at the edge of advanced CAE, physics simulation and machine learning, to solve our customers’ most difficult design and control problems.

Our work creates positive impact for society, be it by improving the design of artificial hearts, reducing CO2 emissions from aircraft and road vehicles, or increasing the performance of renewable turbines.

MPhil Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence
Sep 2021 - Sep 2022

Awarded an MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence (MLMI), with Distinction. Member of Jesus College.

The MLMI MPhil is an elite 11 month programme with a small cohort of about 30 students each year. Due to its small size there is the opportunity to carry out PhD-like research projects on the course, as well having a number of bespoke taught modules with lots of opportunities to interact with the faculty and other members of the course.

See my portfolio for examples of the projects I completed, including my thesis.

Data Engineer/Scientist
Dec 2018 - Aug 2021

Member of the Consulting Product Factory; creating data-driven solutions for the market. Applied extensive software engineering experience to ensure that data science models adhered to coding best practices, were production ready, and supportable. Containerised models and implemented interfaces to make them “plug-and-play”; enabling swift integration into software applications and UI frameworks. Authored Python frameworks to accelerate the data science workflow; dramatically reducing time to production. These frameworks automated: the management of data ingress and egress from a variety of data stores (databases, cloud-based file stores, etc.) and the production of data audit reports; error handling and monitoring of model performance; and the preparation of model results for consumption by downstream applications. Managed JSON Schema definitions for consuming and validating client data and configuration; and developed extract, transform and load processes. And, as a DevOps and Cloud specialist, aided developers in deploying solutions via Azure DevOps pipelines using frameworks such as Terraform and Serverless.

Analytics Platform Developer
Dec 2017 - Dec 2018

Developed analytics platforms for BP’s Integrated Supply and Trading (IST) business using a variety of technologies. Rapidly prototyped solutions and platforms, and then architected and deployed into production those which generated the greatest value for the business; defining secure, cloud-based architectures, including strategies for automation, high availability, disaster recovery and role-based access control. Built a variety of Python tools for both developers and the business, and administered various databases.

Murex Techincal Developer
Sep 2016 - Nov 2017

Assisted in the deployment, integration and customisation of the Murex platform. Continued to expand my platform engineering expertise, whilst also significantly improving my Java development capabilities.

Automation Engineer
Feb 2016 - Sep 2016

Aided in the development of platforms for the automated continuous build, deployment and testing of applications. This role furthered my expertise in developing cloud-based solutions, as well as enabled me to gain experience of using tools such as Jenkins, Ansible, Vagrant and Docker.

Chemical Engineering Graduate Award
Dec 2015

One of six recipients of the Salters’ Institute chemical engineering graduate prizes for 2015. Prizes are awarded on the basis of assessments of the potential of candidates ultimately to occupy leading positions in public life, either by employment in the Chemical or related industries, or more generally in employment that supports the industrial life of the UK.

Integration and Framwork Engineer
Sep 2015 - Feb 2016

Supported the development and maintenance of solutions that allowed communication between a number of applications and systems. This included assisting in the testing of applications prior to their release into production, and leading the technical evaluation of cloud-based cluster computing solutions.

Top Graduating Chemical Engineering Student
Jun 2015

IChemE Scottish Branch Prize for Best Graduating Chemical Engineering Student At Edinburgh University in 2015.

Engineering Technology Information Intern
Jun 2013 - Sep 2016

Worked in the Exploration and Production Engineering Technology Information department on a diverse range of projects. This allowed me to utilise and strengthen a wide range of skills whilst gaining experience of working internationally.

MEng Chemical Engineering
Sep 2010 - Jun 2015

Gained a First Class Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Recipient of the class medal in every year, and awarded prizes by BP, Exxon Mobil, the Institute of Chemical Engineers, and The Salters’ Institute.

Software Developer Intern
Jun 2010 - May 2013

My introduction to coding! Summer internships over three years. Responsible for the creation and management of a series of Xojo data management applications. I was also the creator of NS-Inspect, a commercial Xojo program designed to indicate when a drill string should be inspected during the drilling of a series of wells.