Graduate profile - Oliver Ashton
Oliver Ashton (pictured at left) joined CS Energy in 2022 as a Graduate Market Risk Analyst and works in the Risk Analytics, Energy and Financial Risk team.
Oliver recently completed a double degree Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) majoring in physics and mathematics. He comes to the energy industry via an unconventional route, having specialised in astrophysics for his honours thesis at the University of Sydney.
Astrophysics is a science that applies the laws of physics to study how the universe works. And while it may seem a galaxy far, far away from the energy industry, it is a field of study that has prepared him well for the complexities of Australia’s energy market.
Risk Analytics Manager Gary Segal said Oliver’s background in mathematics and astrophysics positioned him as a strong candidate for the graduate role.
“Oliver’s studies in astrophysics have provided him with training in solving complex problems with inherent uncertainty, and using data and evidence based approaches,” Gary said.
“He also brings to the role his programming ability, experience with modelling uncertainty and working with data sets to solve quantitative problems.
“These skills underpin the methods CS Energy uses to manage risk in energy markets and provide an ideal foundation for developing skills in quantitative finance and risk management.”
We spoke to Oliver about this role below.
What interested you about working at CS Energy?
Being involved in the energy industry’s shift from coal-fired power to renewable energy was an opportunity that I could not pass up.
CS Energy is one of the largest providers of energy in Queensland and Australia, so their efforts to move toward renewables interested me, knowing that I could contribute towards the transition.
What do you hope to learn in your role in the Energy and Financial Risk Team?
As I am in a graduate position, my main goal is to learn as much as I can about the energy industry, the market and all the financial instruments used.
Coming from a scientific background I knew it would be difficult to break into the energy industry. When I saw the graduate position advertised I thought it would be a great opportunity to apply the skills I learned at university to develop an understanding of the energy market.
Why did you choose astrophysics for your honours thesis?
I enjoy exploring all aspects of space and physics to understand the nature of the universe. I did my honours in galactic seismology, which is a field of astrophysics that examines disturbances in the Milky Way galaxy.
My thesis looked at simulations of a smaller galaxy puncturing a galactic disk and how this can form spiral arms (spiral formations of stars) within the galaxy. An interesting fact about spiral arm galaxies is that even though we have observed them since the 1850s, we still have no clear understanding of their formation, evolution and dynamics, only theories.
How do you like to spend your time outside work?
I enjoy sports such as dinghy sailing, and bouldering. I also like coding my own small projects and continuing the research I began during my honours thesis.