Simon LloydGeophysicist · PhD
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Profile / Simon J. Lloyd, PhD

My background
& experience.

My career has included warehouse management, commercial flight instruction and geophysics research. I returned to education in 2013 and completed my PhD at Liverpool in 2022.

Background

Before geophysics.

Before researching Earth’s magnetic field, I taught people to fly.

My earlier career included operational management and commercial flight instruction, progressing to Chief Flying Instructor in Bulgaria. I later returned to education, earned a first-class degree in geophysics and completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, I worked on experiments, computer simulations and global datasets, and organised international fieldwork.

Download the full CV

Selected career history

Research & technical
experience.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Liverpool · Geomagnetism Laboratory

Carried out palaeomagnetic experiments, ran numerical models, analysed datasets and organised international fieldwork. Wrote analysis scripts, papers and documentation.

Teaching Assistant / Demonstrator

University of Liverpool

Supported undergraduate geophysics practicals, helping students interpret methods, data and technical procedures.

Geophysics Intern

ESG Geophysical Surveying · Deeside

Professional experience in a commercial geophysical surveying environment.

People, standards & operations

Flight instruction
& other roles.

Chief Flying Instructor

Air Sofia · Bulgaria

Senior responsibility for training standards and instructor quality in a commercial flight-training organisation.

Customer Services Specialist

Bank of America · Chester

Regulated financial-services support across multiple systems, working to continuous quality and efficiency measures.

Commercial Flying Instructor

Cabair College of Air Training

Taught students from no flying experience towards Commercial Pilot standard and maintained formal progress records.

Senior Flying Instructor

Flight schools across Yorkshire

Tailored instruction across three schools, with a focus on assessment, communication and training quality.

Commercial flight training

USA & UK

Advanced commercial and instrument training in Florida, California and the UK.

Aviation experience & qualifications

Management foundations

Earlier operational
management.

Warehouse Manager

Trigon Snacks Ltd · Liverpool

Managed warehousing and stock control, production planning, purchase invoicing and delivery reconciliation. Led 12 permanent staff and approximately 12 contractors, controlled the forklift fleet and reported to senior management.

Catering Manager

Youth Hostel Association · Hartington Hall

Managed kitchen and dining operations at a 120-cover hostel, including budgets, staffing, customer service and quality control.

Academic qualifications

Education.

PhD, Geophysics

University of Liverpool

Specialisation in palaeomagnetism and palaeointensity.

BSc (Hons), Geophysics (Geology)

University of Liverpool

First Class Honours.

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Wirral Metropolitan College

Laboratory Science · Distinction.

Sharing the work

Teaching, outreach
& scientific exchange.

  • Organised and supervised a two-week Nuffield Research Placement for A-Level students in 2023.
  • Exhibitor at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition: “Magnetic to the Core”, 2019.
  • Organised geomagnetism activities for approximately 60 pupils aged 7–9 at St Michael’s Primary School.
  • Delivered geophysical survey activities for approximately 80 sixth-form students at Wirral Grammar School for Boys.
  • Presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in 2020 and 2023, and regularly at the UK Magnetic Interactions meeting.
  • Planned, budgeted and convened an international scientific conference with invited speakers.

Awards & affiliations

Recognition.

  • Geophysical Journal International student paper/publication award, 2021.
  • PGR Conference — Best Poster, 2020.
  • Wirral Metropolitan College — Student of the Year in Mathematics, 2014.
  • Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, documented from 2019; American Geophysical Union affiliation documented from 2020.

Interests

Beyond work.

Science and mathematics, computing, graphic design, music and guitar, languages and travel. Outdoors, my interests include running, mountaineering, camping and windsurfing.