About

Summary - Dr Lucy Whalley

I am a computational scientist with expertise in research software engineering and high performance computing. In my previous role as an Associate Professor in Physics at Northumbria University I led a research programme in computational materials science, alongside co-leading the Materials Chemistry Consortium (EPSRC, EP/X035859/1), the SCALE-UP network (UKRI) and Sonic Intangibles (UKRI, MR/Z506448/1). I am now looking for new employment opportunities in technology and computing.

I am a fellow of the Software Sustainability Institute, an Associate Editor at the Journal of Open Source Software and chair of the UK national supercomputer Archer2 User Advisory Group. I am interested in how we can improve research practice in the computational sciences, with a particular interest in how we can work in an open and interdisciplinary way. I publish my code on Github whenever possible, and I speak about my work to a variety of audiences.

I have taught a range of subjects including introductory programming, computational physics and quantum mechanics, and I co-organise the annual Rising Stars workshop to support under-represented groups in Materials Science. I am also a mum to 1,2,3,4,5 6 year old Robin, who I am training to be a world class Hacker.

Contact

Email: l.whalley@northumbria.ac.uk

CV

My mini CV is below. For my full CV please contact me via email.

Education:

  • PhD in Materials Science // Imperial College London // 2015-2019.
    • Awarded the Thomas Young Centre at Imperial thesis prize for the most important and innovative contribution to research in the Theory and Simulation of Materials.
  • PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training // Birmingham City University // 2011-2012
    • A postgraduate teaching qualification with an emphasis on training adults
  • MPhys in Theoretical Physics // University of Birmingham // 2007-2011.
    • Received the SWJ Smith award for ranking first in my physics cohort

Employment:

  • Associate Professor in Physics // Northumbria University // 2025-2026
  • Assistant Professor in Physics // Northumbria University // 2020-2025
  • Research Assistant // Imperial College London // 2019-2020
  • Mathematics Teacher // Arden Primary School // 2012-2015

Website Credits

This website was built using Hugo with a tweaked version of the code editor theme. The image on the landing page was created by Richard Scott and is used with permission.