Laura Offin MChem in Chemistry with Environmental Science, 2004

Scientist for Ilika

After finishing my MChem I continued at Southampton to do my PhD in electrochemistry and surface science and graduated in 2008.

My experience of electrochemistry and surface science and high throughput screening techniques gained during my PhD have prepared me well for my role at Ilika.

After finishing my PhD, I worked for BRE (the building Research Establishment) mainly undertaking statistical analysis of survey data to do with the energy efficiency of the English housing stock. My experience of data analysis from my undergraduate and postgraduate courses prepared me well for this position.

I then decided to train as a teacher and undertook a PGCE specifically designed for those who had a PhD in a physical science. As well gaining a PGCE this also gave me an opportunity to use enthusiasm and ideas about science to develop fun science activities for children, which were taken to several schools around London. I then worked as a teacher of chemistry for a year.

I currently work as a scientist for Ilika, which is a spin-out company from the University of Southampton. Ilika uses high throughput techniques for materials discovery and I am currently involved in projects looking into materials for energy production purposes. My experience of electrochemistry and surface science and high throughput screening techniques gained during my PhD have prepared me well for my role at Ilika, as well as more general skills gained as part of PhD and undergraduate degree, such as data analysis and experience of report writing.