Role
Samantha Poole is at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre (JvGCRC) as a Research Assistant.
Career overview
Samantha Poole began her career at Nottingham Trent University within the School of Science and Technology technical team in 2016 as an Apprentice Laboratory Technician, achieving a Double Distinction Star in “PAA\VQSET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities Educational Sciences (QCF)” and “Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)”. During the apprenticeship, she worked in every department and lab space within SST, providing technical support to academic staff and students. This enabled her to develop high levels of adaptability and resilience working in multiple teams, moving departments on an 8-week rotation, quickly forming and maintaining new working relationships, which required excellent communication skills with different individuals.
From 2018 to 2024, she progressed through various technical roles, advancing from Assistant Technician in 2018, to Laboratory technician in 2019, then finally to Senior Technician, a position she held from 2020 until 2024. As a Senior Tech, she planned and oversaw under/postgraduate classes, identifying modifications to technical requirements by testing and recording the outcome of laboratory classes and then advising to ensure optimal results. She trained students and staff on biological techniques and equipment/software operation, and provided support to final year project students. Additionally, Samantha led projects on behalf of SST, such as setting up the Water Unit Service contract for the whole of the Clifton Campus, which she handled from 2021 to 2024.
During her eight years in the technical team, she developed specialist expertise in Microbiology, Histology, and Ecology, among other bioscience areas, and then in 2024, Samantha transitioned to the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre (JvGCRC) as a Research Assistant.