Junior Scientist Review

i am a junior scientist, i do calibration of contact thermometers, radiation thermometers and thermal imaging at high and low temperatures using triple point cells and furnaces.

many internal training courses have been attended including: laser safety course manual handling gas and pressure safety electrical safety COSHH course lifting and crane course temperature and humidity course we are also part of a soft skills programme, this includes communication, team working, presenting to an audience and other soft skills that are important.

my team are very close and i work closely with a variety of members of the team, this means that i never get bored and if i ask for something to do there is always a task around. it met my expectations fairly well, although it is not what i anticipated; it is not generally a bad thing.

NPL give us a great involvement in their programme, they set us up on a soft skills course and get us involved in their science ambassador programme too meaning that we go out and get children, teenagers and even adults involved and interested in the science that we do.

we had a general induction to NPL on the first day, health and safety for example. for the first week i was getting inductions to different parts of my assigned workplace. training day is friday, the tutor comes in to our building and teaches us in a meeting room, the program is very well organised, we have our criteria and objectives meaning that it is very clear what we have to fulfil.

our training provider makes sure that we each have a one to one session, discussing work, NVQ and BTEC. he also likes to make sure our work lives are going well and that our welfare is good.

our departments make sure to push us to fulfil our criteria, they also give us time for coursework every week to make sure that it is completed on time. we have all been assigned mentors who are there for general welfare problems and guidance although we do not see them that often they are there if needed.

our salary seems to meet requirements, about 1/5 of my pay packet goes into living and travel costs, the rest is income used for social requirements.

there are a large amount of events that NPL attend doing outreach and as apprentices we get invited to do these as it promotes our apprenticeship scheme. there is a sports club where football and pub games can be played with colleagues and a gym/leisure club that NPL employees get a discount on.

Yes

many of my friends are interested in science and the work conducted at NPL, i am very sure it would be of interest to many of them. a lot of the work is also very exciting, especially outreach events.

be keen and interested, NPL look for staff to be talented and committed above all, attitude is a very key part of the job not just qualifications and how your CV looks.