Science Technician

• Aug 2016 - Present

Laboratory Supervisor

• Jun 1996 - Aug 2008

I joined the company initially as a technician and after four years I was promoted to the role of technologist. I had this role for a relatively short time of approximately a year and a half, after which I was promoted to the laboratory supervisor position, where I remained until being made redundant in August 2008. In my role as laboratory supervisor I managed a team of ten people who were at technician and technologist level. I was responsible for their training and development, performance reviews and absence management. On a day to day level my role included the prioritisation of work enquiries, meeting deadlines for reports, troubleshooting on technical issues associated with the laboratory testing and ensuring that all work was carried out in a safe environement. I was also calibration manager for the department and this included responsibility for internal checks on equipment and any external calibrations, and all administration associated with this role. In order to measure our performance, I collected data for review against our KPI's for inclusion in the departmental monthly report. In my previous role as both technician and technologist, I was invloved in the evaluation of R+D and production pigment samples. This took the form of preparing inks from the pigment samples and evaluating them against standards for a number of different properties such as dispersion, colour strength, shade, gloss and transparency. Other key properties of the inks that were evaluated include rheology, tack and water balance. I prepared reports and included conclusions based on evaluation results. Show less

Laboratory Technician

• Oct 1994 - Oct 1995

My work involved the formulation and preparation of drilling mud samples to meet the required specification as defined by the oil company, whilst adhering to tight deadlines. Preparation of reports using both Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft word. My work involved the formulation and preparation of drilling mud samples to meet the required specification as defined by the oil company, whilst adhering to tight deadlines. Preparation of reports using both Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft word.

Development Technologist

• Jun 1991 - Apr 1994

My role included the organisation and running of production trials within the paper mill. I was also responsible for the laboratory evaluation of both raw material and finished products and compiling reports based on the findings. I also played a key role in troubleshooting for any production quality issues and liaised with suppliers for alternative raw materials. My role included the organisation and running of production trials within the paper mill. I was also responsible for the laboratory evaluation of both raw material and finished products and compiling reports based on the findings. I also played a key role in troubleshooting for any production quality issues and liaised with suppliers for alternative raw materials.

Vacational Laboratory Technician

• Apr 1990 - Aug 1990

While at college in Fife I had the opportunity to spend four months at Fife Council's water and drainage laboratories prior to returning to study in September that year. The work involved the testing of both clean water and sewage samples for a number of tests including hardness, turbidity, nitrogen content and biochemical oxygen demand. I also spent some time in the microbiology lab preparing plates and testing clean water samples for such things as E-coli. While at college in Fife I had the opportunity to spend four months at Fife Council's water and drainage laboratories prior to returning to study in September that year. The work involved the testing of both clean water and sewage samples for a number of tests including hardness, turbidity, nitrogen content and biochemical oxygen demand. I also spent some time in the microbiology lab preparing plates and testing clean water samples for such things as E-coli.

Laboratory Technician

• Jan 1987 - Aug 1988

My role involved the frational distillation of crude oil samples and the subsequent testing of the various samples for a number of properties. These included pour point, flash point, viscosity, asphaltine and wax content. All testing was carried out by ASTM certified methods and subject to auditing. My role involved the frational distillation of crude oil samples and the subsequent testing of the various samples for a number of properties. These included pour point, flash point, viscosity, asphaltine and wax content. All testing was carried out by ASTM certified methods and subject to auditing.

Trainee Laboratory Technician

• Mar 1983 - Jan 1986

My role included the testing of malt and spirit samples in addition to the weekly wort received from the distillery. This wort was distilled and the theoretical yield of alcohol calculated was compared to the actual from the distillery. Samples of cooling water were also checked for alcohol to determine if any leaks were present. My role included the testing of malt and spirit samples in addition to the weekly wort received from the distillery. This wort was distilled and the theoretical yield of alcohol calculated was compared to the actual from the distillery. Samples of cooling water were also checked for alcohol to determine if any leaks were present.

Trainee Clerk: Records and Examinations

• Sep 1982 - Mar 1983

My duties included organising the mail uplift and delivery, typing, filing, getting the diplomas signed by faculty heads and dealing with student enquires. My duties included organising the mail uplift and delivery, typing, filing, getting the diplomas signed by faculty heads and dealing with student enquires.