Russell Kirk
SEPnet Summer Placement
Project title: A spectroscopic investigation into metal tris-hydroxyquinolates
"For eight weeks I was at Queen Mary to help with their spectroscopic research into metal tris-hydroxyquinolates. In the first few weeks I was learning so much so fast, I felt my practical lab skills were improving significantly. After settling in, I was left alone to use luminescence equipment, which involved a laser, a cryostat and liquid nitrogen, among others. I personally craved this kind of challenge, as you have to take what you've learned through your university courses and apply it outside the relative safety of the university lab.
It came with a great sense of accomplishment when things worked, but when it goes wrong the supervisors were always there to help. They know you’re still a student and are bound to run into problems. This placement gave me a strong idea of what a PhD would be like and I was also taken to see a research lab, giving further insight into a career in research science. Even if you’re not considering a PhD, I would recommend considering this, it has strengthened my CV significantly, not just by saying I did it, but adding all the skills I picked up. By the end of it, I was proud that my work had been of use to them and good contacts for future prospects