Personal and Professional Profile

I am an experienced software developer with a passion for learning and developing new skills. A highly motivated, proactive team player, I thrive in an environment where the work is both varied and challenging. I value best practice and strive to be a supportive, positive colleague.

I have a wealth of experience working on software development projects both large and small. Over the course of my career, I have been involved at all stages of the software development lifecycle, from gathering requirements, through to functional design, technical design, development, testing, and deployment.

Skills

Programming Languages

Python
JavaScript/TypeScript
CSS
Java
C#
R

Frameworks

Django
FastAPI
React
Angular

DevOps

Docker
Docker Compose
Kubernetes

Values

  • Learning and development
  • Doing things well / best practice
  • Variety
  • Autonomy
  • Supportive, positive environment

Experience and Education

Senior Software Engineer, UK ATC (UKRI)

November 2022 - Present

JavaScript/Typescript, Java, Python, FastAPI, Angular, Docker, Docker Compose

I contribute to the development of astronomer-facing web-based and desktop applications that support observatory operations. I work closely with research scientists to gather requirements and collaborate with team members across multiple sites and in multiple countries.

Geomagnetism IT Specialist, BGS (UKRI)

October 2020 - November 2022

JavaScript, Python, Django, FastAPI, Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes

Working closely with geophysicists and engineers, I developed tools and applications to process, distribute and visualize geomagnetic and space-weather data. I also played a leading role in modernizing the way the team develops software, moving away from monolithic applications running on centrally managed servers towards containerized microservices running on the BGS Kubernetes infrastructure.

As part of my role, I also supported research scientists in adopting best practice, particularly in the areas of software testing and CI/CD.

PhD, Linguistics, University of Edinburgh

September 2016 - August 2020

Pass

Python, JavaScript/HTML/CSS, R, JupyterLab, LateX

My research was concerned with the cognitive biases that influence word order in improvised or newly developing communication systems. I focused in particular on how features such as the animacy or salience of interacting entities affects the way people structure their descriptions of events.

Research Output:

Kirton, F. (2021). Referent Properties and Word Order in Emerging Communication Systems. Unpublished Thesis. Available here.

Kirton, F., Schouwstra, M., Culbertson, J., Smith, K., & Kirby, S. (2021). Constituent Order in Improvised Gesture Reflects the Perspective of the Producer. In Journal of Language Evolution, Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2021, Pages 54–76. doi:10.1093/jole/lzaa010

Kirton, F., Schouwstra, M., Culbertson, J., Smith, K., & Kirby, S. (2018). Constituent Order in Improvised Gesture Reflects Speaker Perspective. In C. Cuskley, M. Flaherty, L. McCrohon, H. Little, A. Ravignani, & T. Verhoef (Eds.), The Evolution of Language: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference (pp. 215–217). doi:10.12775/3991-1.052

Software Developer, University of Edinburgh

September 2019 - December 2019

Python, Django

I contributed to the development of an online research volunteer recruitment application. Specifically, I modified the Django admin interface to serve as a management information tool. (Part-time, fixed-term).

Tutor, University of Edinburgh

September 2017 - August 2019

I tutored undergraduate and postgraduate students on various courses, including programming courses (Python, JavaScript/HTML/CSS).

Various temping roles

September 2015 - September 2016

MS Excel, Ms Access

Various temporary office-based roles.

MSc, Evolution of Language and Cognition, University of Edinburgh

September 2013 - August 2015

Distinction

Python, LateX

Awarded a Highly Commended Dissertation Award.

This programme is concerned with the origins and evolution of human language. Core modules focus on the latest research in the field, covering computational modelling as well as quantitative and experimental approaches to the investigation of language evolution. A highly interdisciplinary subject, the study of language evolution intersects with a number of other research fields including linguistics, psychology and cognitive science, evolutionary theory, and anthropology.

Thesis:

Kirton, F. (2015). An Investigation into Emerging Word-Order Strategies using Evolutionary Game Theory. Unpublished Thesis. Available here.

Freelance Translator, Spanish to English

December 2009 - May 2016

I worked with various clients translating documents from Spanish into English.

BA, Modern Language Studies with English and Spanish, Open University

October 2007 - June 2013

Fist Class Honours

Modules studied:
  • Spanish
  • English language (history of English, sociolingustics, creativity in English)
  • French (beginner level)
  • German (beginner level)
  • Ancient Greek (beginner level, language and culture)
Software Developer (self-employed)

March 2008 - December 2009

C#, Windows CE, MySQL

I developed software both for desktop applications and hand-held mobile devices.

PhD, Astrophysics (not completed), University of Glasgow

April 2006 - November 2007

Java, Fortran, LateX

Computational modelling of Langmuir waves in the solar wind.

TEFL Teacher (Spain)

March 2005 - February 2006

I taught English as a second language to students ranging in experience from complete beginner to advanced learner.

IT Consultant, Accenture

September 2001 - December 2004

Java, VB6, HTML, CSS

I fulfilled a variety of roles, both technical and business-facing, and was involved at all stages in the development lifecycle. I regularly liaised with clients to gather functional requirements, develop prototypes, and demonstrate end products.

I worked on a number of large-scale, international projects, often working to highly demanding deadlines.

IT Consultant, Cap Gemini

September 1999 - June 2001

Java, PL/SQL, SQL

I worked on a number of large projects developing and testing software. I also provided frontline technical support to field workers using bespoke data collection software.

System Tester, Student Loans Company

June 1999 - September 1999

PL/SQL, SQL

I was responsible for testing system enhancements and for diagnosing and fixing bugs.

Database Developer, Diageo

August 1998 - June 1999

MS Access, VBA

I developed a database and UI to facilitate data entry and validation as part of a major systems migration project.

MSc, Business Information Technology Systems, University of Strathclyde

September 1997 - June 1998

Pass

VB6, VBA, Progress

Sample of modules studied:
  • Computer Science and Technology
  • Computing and Business Applications
  • Management of Change
  • Database Management Systems
MSci, Physics & Astronomy, University of Glasgow

October 1993 - June 1997

First Class Honours

C++, Fortran, Maple

Awarded the class prize for achievement (1997).

Sample of modules studied:
  • Orbital Dynamics
  • Stellar Evolution
  • Cosmology
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Special and General Relativity
  • Plasma Physics
  • Mathematical and Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences

Professional Training

  • Basic Proofreading by Distance Learning, awarded by the Publishing Training Centre (2011)
  • Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, awarded by the Trinity College, London (2005)
  • Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform 1.4, awarded by Sun Microsystems (2003)

Awards

  • Robertson Medal, Carnegie Trust (2016)
  • Highly Commended Dissertation Award, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh (2015)
  • Final Year Class Prize, Department of Astronomy and Physics (1997)

Scholarships and Research

  • PhD Scholarship, Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
  • Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (June-August 1996)

    Computational modelling of radar detectability of airborne vehicles (C++).

  • Royal Society of Edinburgh Cormack Undergraduate Vacation Scholarship University of Glasgow (July-August 1995)

    Investigation into the use of neural networks in predicting solar activity (C++).

Memberships

  • Member of the Institute of Physics
  • Society of Research Software Engineering

Foreign Languages

  • Spanish (Advanced)
  • French (Beginner)
  • German (Beginner)

Volunteering

Interests

  • Pottery
  • Painting and drawing
  • Knitting
  • Physics and astronomy