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Graduate case studies

Graduate case studies
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Jacob - 
Research Scientist

Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

About the job

Main responsibilities

Research and new-product development.

Typical day

Failure investigation, literature surveys, developing technology roadmaps, examination of metallurgical samples, ideas generation, attendance at conferences and trade fairs, visits to industry forums. Modelling degradation and wear, data interpretation. Maintaining contact with academic partners.

What do I enjoy about my job?

See above under playing with interesting metals.

The rail industry is fascinating too.

Challenging aspects

As a specialist metallurgist by background, re-learning steel has been challenging. The job also requires a lot of learning, as much of the nuance of what we do is based on years of experience in the sector that I simply don't have yet.

Why did this area of work appeal to me?

This line of work both directly uses my skillset (and lets me play with interesting metals), and also contributes to UK manufacturing, a sector I am proud to support given its challenging position.

Skills/qualifications I use in my job?

Metallurgy primarily, but also data analysis, mathematical modelling, and the interpersonal skills to create and maintain relationships with clients and academic and industry partners.


Career information

Brief history since leaving University

Postdoc still in Sheffield 2014-2016, followed by a move to British Steel in July 2016. After 6 months in Rail Technologies I moved to R&D.

Where do I see myself in the future?

More of the same, onwards and upwards.


Advice to students

My piece of advice to students

Developing industrial experience and contacts is really important, a more industrially focussed postdoc added a lot to my rather theoretical PhD.

Interpersonal skills, and confidence speaking and setting forwards viewpoints, are also very important.


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Last updated: 30 Jun 2017