The Postgraduate Institute (PGI) alumni community is growing and making a significant impact across many sectors. The destinations of these students are noteworthy and diverse, ranging from postdoctoral researcher positions to trainee patent attorney and CEO at a Quantum Technology start-up. Over 45% of our graduates now work in industry and hold a variety of roles, with many having achieved significant promotions within their companies. A considerable number of students have been successful in securing roles at NPL after completing their PhD, where they continue to be great advocates for the PGI. The remaining 9% of students are applying their skills to other sectors including scientific charities and government departments.
The Postgraduate Institute (PGI) alumni community is growing and making a significant impact across many sectors. The destinations of these students are noteworthy and diverse, ranging from postdoctoral researcher positions to trainee patent attorney and CEO at a Quantum Technology start-up. Over 45% of our graduates now work in industry and hold a variety of roles, with many having achieved significant promotions within their companies. A considerable number of students have been successful in securing roles at NPL after completing their PhD, where they continue to be great advocates for the PGI. The remaining 9% of students are applying their skills to other sectors including scientific charities and government departments.
An interview with Ben Webster - Doctoral Student Development Officer (Kings College London)
What was your PhD about?
My PhD project involved developing methods for chemically separating medically promising radioactive isotopes from impurities produced. I focused on one of the lanthanide elements, terbium (Tb), for which there are four radioactive isotopes (149Tb, 152Tb, 155Tb and 161Tb) which show promise in either medical imaging, therapy, or both. It is this ‘theranostic’ potential of these terbium isotopes which has been the cause of increasing excitement and interest over the past decade. During my PhD, I developed semi-automated chemical separation methods which resulted in high-purity terbium isotope samples. I used solid-phase extraction chromatography and mass spectrometric (inductively couple plasma mass-spectrometry, ICP-MS) techniques throughout the method development stages. My methods were used to process terbium isotopes produced at CERN and at other labs across Europe and the subsequent chemically purified samples were used for a world-first primary standardisation of 155Tb, a more accurate 155Tb half-life measurement, medical imaging studies and radiolabelling studies. I was fortunate to collaborate with scientists within the Nuclear Metrology group at NPL and many other researchers from across Europe through the MEDICIS Collaboration and PRISMAP.
What did you do during your PhD to enhance your skills and plan for the next step?
I developed many research skills throughout my PhD including laboratory skills, project management skills, and publishing and communication skills. I was very fortunate to be able to present my research at conferences and research meetings which, although very daunting at times, was a fantastic way of developing my presentation and networking skills. More generally, I saw my confidence as a researcher and as a professional grow massively as a result of being involved in these conferences. I also volunteered with the Postgraduate Institute as a Student Ambassador, where I developed my science communication and graphic design skills by putting together the quarterly newsletter and other non-research publications. I also helped to organise a number of conferences, which was a great way to develop my project management skills within a smaller project.
Did you know what you wanted to do when you finished your research?
No, I didn’t think or plan that far into the future. I enjoyed doing research, but I wasn’t certain if I wanted a long-term career in research. One thing I realised as I neared the end of my PhD was that the skills I had developed during it were very valuable and transferrable, and if I decided to not stay in research, I would have to learn how to apply those skills in a new setting or profession. I worked with the PGI at NPL for a period as I finished writing up (not for the faint hearted!) and for a while after I submitted my thesis. I managed some funding competitions, the PGI’s Student Ambassador Group, the PGI’s Mentoring Programme, and supported the PGI’s communications and training activities – it was a deep dive into research and researcher development. I have since moved to King’s College London, where I am in a similar role in their Centre for Doctoral Studies, but with a greater focus on training and development. I definitely didn’t see myself working in a role like this when I started my PhD, but I used my PhD journey as an opportunity to discover what I did and didn’t enjoy in my work and, for now, that has led me here (and I’m enjoying it!). I have since started my journey in ‘Researcher Development’. That means I help researchers, particularly postgraduate researchers, to develop and excel during and beyond their doctorate.
What would be your top message for future PGI partners thinking about doing joint projects?
NPL is a fantastic place to do research. They are world leading experts, a wealth of experience, knowledge and techniques, and that’s without mentioning their wider research networks. The importance of good measurement should not be underestimated and, if that’s what a project needs, then the PGI is the best place for it.