Why did you choose that particular degree course?

I graduated from Warwick’s Electrochemistry and Interfaces in 2014 with a PhD in Chemistry. As is so often the case, my early interest in Chemistry was sparked by a passionate teacher, rather than a detailed career plan at age 14! Since then, each next step has been based on what excites me, the opportunities available to me, and the people around me.

Tell us about your employer

I accepted the role of Research & Development (R&D) Manager at Promethean Particles in 2022, after spending nearly a decade as a researcher in the specialty chemicals industry. In my role at Promethean, I am accountable for developing and delivering our R&D strategy, from our technology to our people.

Promethean itself is an industry leader in the production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with a vision to become the world’s largest suppler of industrial scale, high quality, cost-effective MOFs.

For context, MOFs are an exciting class of polymers that have a porous, lattice-like structure. Their unique architecture gives them exceptionally high surface areas and customisable pore properties, allowing them to be tailored to trap and store gases and liquids efficiently. This makes MOFs highly effective for applications such as gas storage and separation, carbon capture, and catalysis.

It’s exciting to be at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry, developing solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re achieving things that have never been done before, and that’s incredibly rewarding.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

Firstly, the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts. This has been invaluable throughout my career to date, and is often an undervalued skill in my opinion. Presenting to a group of like-minded researchers is one thing, but explaining the importance of those same findings to a non-technical stakeholder requires a totally different approach.

Secondly, the power of resilience. You’ll inevitably be faced with challenges throughout your career, whether they be of a personal or professional nature. There is only so much planning you can do to minimise these challenges, and it’s how you handle these moments that can make the real difference. Taking a holistic view of the situation will help you react objectively, and will set an example to those around you. Importantly, some of those challenges will even be a result of your own mistakes, but it’s how you learn from the experience that will allow you to grow.

Finally, analytically informed decision making. Using data to determine your next-steps will ensure you have confidence in your decisions, and will allow you to effectively advocate for change. It’s equally important to recognise that sometimes decisions need to be taken without having all the data you’d like. We often don’t operate in a perfect world, and balancing uncertainty with risk is crucial.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

I’ve faced a number of challenges throughout my career. Some technical, some personal, and some organisational. With time, I’ve learnt the importance of focusing on what I can control and influence. I try to be intentional with my time and attention, rather than losing energy on things outside my circle of control. I don’t ignore what is outside of my control, but rather accept and maintain an understanding of those things, adjusting my actions accordingly. It takes time and growth to get comfortable with the approach, but I’d encourage and challenge everyone to give it some thought when faced with challenges of their own.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I’m passionate about working at the interface of talent and technology, developing teams of researchers that can effectively undertake and translate novel academic research into real-world impact. I’m particularly passionate about working in advanced materials, and in the near future will be relocating to California, USA, where I’ll be exploring opportunities aligned with the above.

What top tips would you give to students looking for a career in your market sector?

I’d encourage all graduates to work on building their knowledge and network in the area they are keen to work in. Practically, that means building a picture of the key challenges the sector faces, whether they be technical, political, regulatory, etc. It also means understanding incumbent and novel technologies in the area, the key companies that work in the area, and the timelines they are operating on. Networking events, conferences, and internships are all a great way of building this knowledge and network.

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were applying for jobs?

When interviewing candidates, I always start by reminding them that the assessment process is a two way one. It’s easy to be overly focused on trying to impress, or to try and convince the assessor that you’re the perfect fit. Use the process to show who you really are and to ask the questions that are really on your mind. You’ll gain a much deeper understanding of the role, the team, and the company, and may even decide that the opportunity isn’t what you expected! Of course you want to leave a good impression, but if it’s a good fit you’ll do that naturally. Spend time reflecting on your discussions and challenge yourself on whether the role is what you’re looking for, rather than assuming it must be.