DPhil in Atmospheric Oceanic and Planetary Physics
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
October 2022 — Ongoing
Currently in the third year of the 3.5 year DPhil programme in atmospheric physics, supervised by Ray Pierrehumbert. I research the evolution of lava planets, aiming to understand how the physics of these systems shapes their evolution through delicate feedback processes. This work will help us understand the histories of Earth and Venus, as well as observations of rocky exoplanets.
MPhys in Physics
University of Exeter, United Kingdom
September 2018 — July 2022
Four-year integrated MPhys Physics programme completed with a 1st (final grade of 85%). Modules included: astrophysics, electromagnetism, analytical dynamics, thermodynamics, scientific programming, and extensive partnered lab work (experimental and computational). My dissertation project was published as Nicholls et al. (2023).
Convective shutdown in the atmospheres of lava worlds
Nicholls, Pierrehumbert, Lichtenberg, Soucasse, Smeets (2024)
DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stae2772
Using a new radiative-convective atmosphere model 'AGNI', we found that atmospheres on permanent lava worlds can be convectively stable. Absorption features of CO2 and SO2 within emission spectra are associated with mantle redox state. Presented at UKPF Meeting 2025.
Magma Ocean Evolution at Arbitrary Redox State
Nicholls, Lichtenberg, Bower, Pierrehumbert (2024)
DOI: 10.1029/2024JE008576
With a new interior-atmosphere modelling framework 'PROTEUS', we simulated the evolution and cooling of primordial terrestrial magma oceans. The greenhouse effect of outgassed atmospheres exerts significant control over magma ocean cooling and crystallisation. Presented at EGU 2024.
Self-Consistent Modelling of Flares and Gas Giants
Nicholls, Hebrard, Venot, Drummond, Evans (2023)
DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad1734
Using a radiative-convective photochemical kinetics model, we found that flares induce observable features in the spectra of sufficiently cool gas giants orbiting M-stars. Presented at Exoclimes VI.
Supervision of BSc student
Spring and Summer 2024
Co-supervision of an undergraduate astronomy bachelor's student. I set out project goals to the student, guided them through the research, including the use of computer simulations and statistical analysis, and provided feedback and assessment of their dissertation at the end of the project.
Undergraduate lab teaching
Academic years 2023 — 2025
Demonstrating experiments to undergraduate students at Oxford. The experiments involve calculating various physical constants, and demonstrating known relationships such as Faraday’s Law. Demonstrating in labs has taught me several skills, particularly on providing instructions and constructive feedback.
Primary school outreach programme
Autumn 2022
I visited two primary schools to engage Year 5 children with workshops on general physics. Introduced a class of 30 to broader concepts, and then worked with groups to conduct small experiments.
Summer research project
June 2020 — August 2020
Using proprietary FDTD software and open source data science libraries, I optimised photonic crystal cavities for the desired characteristics. My code was later applied to other photonic systems by the research group at Exeter.
Internship at Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
June 2019 — August 2019
I was involved with the development of gallium nitride micro-LED display technology with the process engineering group. This included operation of plasma etch tools, as well as developing novel methods for colour conversion using quantum dots.