Tomas S.
About me
| Tomas S. | |
| Physics | |
| Physics | |
| Research Postgraduate | |
| Goodricke | |
| 2010 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Senior Scientific Officer | |
| Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Armed forces and emergency services / Government and civil service / Science and research | |
| 2009 | |
| £26000 | |
| £43000 |
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A day in the life of a Senior Scientific Officer in the United Kingdom
My career history
I started my career in the Home Office working in explosives and weapons detection. This was absolutely brilliant fun as you get to do things all sorts of things not normally allowed. This involved testing equipment for how good it was at detecting explosives or weapons on people or in bags or in cargo. I also got involved with some research into developing new technologies both internally and with external academic and industrial partnerships. Applied science really is at the heart of what we do here.
I then worked as a systems engineer which involved lots of requirements capture workshops and helping our Government customers really understand what it is they want. This lead me to meeting and working with some really interesting people within Government and on some very interesting technologies.
I now work as a senior scientist which is more of an oversight role, ensuring technical work is planned correctly and will actually answer the question posed in a robust way. This evidence can then be used by policy makers to inform UK national security.
What has helped my career to progress
Being talkative and confident. Always being willing to offer a thought through opinion, often when there isn't time to conduct extensive evaluation.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I hope to progress through another promotion within the next couple of years, where I can still use my technical skills and continue to provide advice. After that, wherever the mood takes me really. There are so many opportunities once you're in the Civil Service that you can really do anything you take a fancy to (as long as you can get the job).
My advice to students considering work
I would say do a range of activities outside of your degree. Showing you can get along with other people and lead when necessary is very useful. Evidence of taking responsibility and delivering in difficult situations is a definite bonus. Beyond that, I would say don't worry too much about your employability at the start of Uni, just enjoy it. Another key one is being confident, at interview or generally, but be careful never to take this too far. Also, never be embarrassed in an interview at taking a moment to think before answering, don't just spurt out the first thing that pops into your head.
Finally, the effort you put into an application and interview will come across. Don't think that one CV or application can be used for every job. You need to tailor the information for every post you apply for.
My advice about working in my industry
The public sector has a lot of advantages. Flexible working, very interesting work and great learning opportunities. Just don't expect to be paid as much as in the private sector or get a car allowance etc.
It's also a huge organisation with a lot of opportunities to go in different directions. It's not at all stuffy bureaucrats (although we still have a few).
What I do
I oversee a number of programmes of work. These focus predominantly on the detection of prohibited and restricted goods (such as weapons and drugs) from entering the UK. I also run a research call which stimulates innovation in the detection of explosives and weapons.
Skills I use and how I developed them
As I applied and am working in a science based job, a science based degree was essential. Having a PhD was a definite bonus as it demonstrates you've got a range of skills which not all graduates will have. Physics as a background lets you explore and model problems which is a highly transferrable skill and I think is therefore seen in a positive light. It also tends to pigeon-hole you slightly less than a chemist or biologist who tend to be given roles specific to their subject.
Degree skills:
Communication skills and presenting in front of people, either at conferences or poster days or when teaching in labs and giving tutorials have been important skills. We all need to be able to communicate effectively to a broad audience. This is especially true in my role where you need to be able to explain scientific concepts and technologies to very non-technical people who may have an interest in the technology or the project, for example when briefing senior policy makers.
The problem analysis skills developed in a technical degree are probably the skills I didn't realise I was developing while at York but have been vital for my job.
Extracurricular skills:
Going to the pub and being able to argue politely and persuade people round to your way of thinking are also very useful skills in the public service. Be willing to fight your corner if you have evidence to back it up but never be arrogant or self-righteous about it. Science is about objective evidence with correct interpretation. These skils can be developed from arguing down the pub to haggling with used car sales people right up to intellectual debates with fellow academics at a conference (which is also usually at the pub).
What I like most
I like being a trusted expert that senior policy staff will ask for by name to provide briefings and opinion on the use of technology to protect the UK.
What I like least
The thing I like least about my job is procurement - trying to buy anything is often challenging.
What would I change? Obviously money, but if not money, then getting back into the more technical side of work again.
What surprised me most
How friendly and supportive most staff are and the sheer range of things I get to do.
Next steps...
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