Job title:

Materials Chemist, Scientific Research Organisation.

What degree did you study?

• BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Law, University of Essex.
• MSc Management of Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary College, University of London.
• PhD Chemistry, University of Nottingham.

What are your main duties of work?

I am a research chemist looking into the fundamental properties of materials – this is mainly related to thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of material interactions. My job allows me to work not only with other chemists, but also physicists and engineers in a collaborative effort to gain results.

What are your favourite aspects of the job?

The collaboration between groups means we can share knowledge and has the benefit of knowing you are not working in isolation (this is done on both a national and international scale). It makes you feel that everybody has their part to play. The company is also keen on developing skill-bases, which creates the atmosphere of constant personal growth and achievement.

What kind of salary can a graduate expect to earn in this job?

Starting at £21,000, rising to approximately £30,000 after 5 years.

How has your degree helped you?

My initial degree gave me the flexibility to look into different career paths at a time when I was unsure of what job I wanted to do. My PhD allowed me to focus on an area of chemistry that was of interest to me and to develop skills, which were attractive to my employers.