Dashboard – I'm a Scientist 2024

About Me:

I am a chemist who is working on making components for electrolysers. The people who buy the products our customers make want to make sustainable hydrogen by electrolysis.
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I live in south Oxfordshire with my wife and two children. When I am not thinking about chemistry I enjoy ringing church bells and (when I get the chance) going orienteering.
My pronouns are:

he/him
My Work:

I have worked for Johnson Matthey since 2001. For a long time I worked in the lab making materials but now I am working in part of the company making components for electrolysers.
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Most of my work has been in making materials which are catalysts. I enjoy making things which have never been made before! Some of the most satisfying things I have been involved with are projects where we have worked out what a good material would be, and then go ahead and make it.

For the next three years I changed role and led a group who are looking at using electricity in making chemicals. For most of the things we worked on, this involved taking renewable electricity to make sustainable fuels and chemicals such as hydrogen. I liked the fact that we are working on an important challenge and one which could make a real difference in the future.

Since 2020 I have been working in one of JM’s businesses which is faster paced than being in research. My group develops products which meet our customers needs, which we can make efficiently and which use less critical raw material than previous versions.
My Typical Day:

My typical day involves a lot of talking to people – I enjoy working with others. Sometimes this is people in the same office and other times people across the world. It can be colleagues within the company, or customers or suppliers.

Candidate CV questions (extra)

Education:

I went to Kimberley Comprehensive School on the outskirts of Nottingham. I stayed there for my sixth form too.
After school I studied at Trevelyan College, Durham University for my degree and Ph.D.
Qualifications:

8 GCSEs including Chemistry and Physics but not Biology!

A levels Maths, Physics and Chemistry plus General Studies
AS level German

Degree and Ph.D. in Chemistry – both from Durham University
Work History:

Worked as a research assistant at Reading University and Queens University Belfast looking at ways to make hydrogen peroxide
Joined JM in 2001
Current Job:

R&D Director for Electrolyser Products
Employer:

Johnson Matthey

My Interview
- How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
  
  Curious, thoughtful, creative
  
  What did you want to be after you left school?
  
  A scientist or an engineer
  
  Were you ever in trouble at school?
  
  Not much (there are a few stories)
  
  Who is your favourite singer or band?
  
  Deacon Blue - I am enjoying their new songs at the moment
  
  What's your favourite food?
  
  Cheese
  
  Tell us a joke.
  
  What's brown and sticky? A stick.