Some advice - what can I do?

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thatdude

Original Poster:

2,654 posts

126 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Hi everyone

I would like some advice from those of you with an eye for the bigger picture. I'm a PhD-educated chemist (organic chemistry) with now about 18 months experience in industry. However, my previous position was contract (and 50 miles commute to work...) and my current position is a fixed-term contract, ending in December (Xmas eve!). I would like to have more longer-term employment, but opportunities are rare in the south-east (Hertfordshire / Cambridge / London) and the job market is over-saturated with candidates. I cannot relocate since my wife has secured a permanent position, due to start in October (when she completes her PhD) so I am worried about finding my next employment opportunity (I am doubtful my current employer will extend my contract, but even then it will come to an end at some point).

So, I have plenty of skills - technical and practical skills, numerical skills, literacy (even if it doesn't always show here on the internet!), critical thinking, time management and organization ...plenty of things that would lend themselves to other roles in both scientific and out of scientific jobs.

But what could I realistically do? I must say I prefer technical roles, I am at heart a chap who enjoys working with equipment and tools. But at the end of the day, I need something come January in order to earn money to pay the bills. If it means sitting at a desk than so be it, but I'd much prefer something more engaging.

Any advice, insight and general words of wisdom and encouragement are greatly appreciated

Thanks all

rog007

5,748 posts

223 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
What do you want to be? What would you enjoy doing? Try and be more specific; it will help you.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
thatdude said:
I need something come January in order to earn money to pay the bills
Start applying and cast the net wide. With December being a write off for recruitment in my experience, January isn't that far away.

The process of applying and interviewing will help you focus on what you want to do, and you can always drop out or decline a role.

Plus it's oh so easy to get a job when you have a job, but oh so tough when you don't have one...!

scdan4

1,299 posts

159 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Difficult. Your lack of mobility doesn't help. I have no idea about your geographical area.

Chemists are rated for teaching and accountancy if you fancied re/extending training.

A.N.other postgrad research position?

Have a look at the chemical sales side of things - 4 people I know who are very competent chemists now sell reagents for both large and small pharma companies. All national roles which does mean they can be based out of anywhere. Although they do a lot of miles.

Are there any chemical manufacturers around you? QC and "chemical process engineers" for "how the feck do we make this new thing we've won the bid on" is an industry, although a dying one. Quite mundane manufacturers / repackagers (e.g. bodyshop smellies, airwick stick ups, Bloo-loo fresheners) need mundane chemistry competent people.

Not a lot of help I know. If you want to relocate to wilts there are a couple of leads I could give you....

(I went phd, completely unrelated, teaching, completely unrelated and now completely unrelated self employed. Love chemistry. st chemist! smile )

dingg

3,974 posts

218 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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Crystal meth lab

lets cook

getmecoat

toohuge

3,429 posts

215 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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I'm amazed you say there aren't many opportunities in Cambridge.... the science park has numerous start ups etc. that are looking for well qualified individuals such as yourself.

This is a good place to start:
http://www.startuphire.com/lc/Cambridge-startup-jo...


Chris

STW2010

5,713 posts

161 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
I'm a chemist and am from that area.

How about keeping an eye on the big employers such as GSK (Stevenage) and Johnson Matthey (Royston)?

There are a lot of opportunities for chemists in the area. You could even look at working for the Royal Society of Chemistry, who are based in Cambridge.

thatdude

Original Poster:

2,654 posts

126 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
toohuge said:
I'm amazed you say there aren't many opportunities in Cambridge.... the science park has numerous start ups etc. that are looking for well qualified individuals such as yourself.

This is a good place to start:
http://www.startuphire.com/lc/Cambridge-startup-jo...


Chris
Thanks for that - I've tried looking for information and struggle to find anything.

thatdude

Original Poster:

2,654 posts

126 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
STW2010 said:
I'm a chemist and am from that area.

How about keeping an eye on the big employers such as GSK (Stevenage) and Johnson Matthey (Royston)?

There are a lot of opportunities for chemists in the area. You could even look at working for the Royal Society of Chemistry, who are based in Cambridge.
GSK did go through a period of hiring, but those positions have since been filled. I've applied for a few things with JM so fingers crossed - they could be a way into automotive-related sciences which would be enjoyable!


I've had a good think about the work I'd like to do. I'm a laboratory scientist through-and-through...I like getting my hands dirty (figuratively speaking!) and I love developing routes to new compounds / materials. I'm not really one for sales and sitting at a desk typing all day long, I really really enjoy the technical, hands-on work. That being said, I also enjoy analytical and preparative chemistry (purification). I like to be kept busy and I dont mind fast-paced environments (a busy day goes by quickly and the fruits of ones labour is there to be seen every day, its rewarding)

Teaching is something I;d like to do in the future, at a university.

I'll look for post-graduate positions, but they tend to be relatively short-term...I would ideally like something long term, and outside of academia.

What are good places to search for jobs? I scoure places like indeed.co.uk and cvlibrary...anything else?



Edited by thatdude on Wednesday 3rd September 11:57

Vaud

50,285 posts

154 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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Try Johnson Matthey in Royston.

Jonjo91

1,833 posts

157 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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You have biopark in Hertfordshire, quick search shows the current tenants, research them to see if they have any jobs.
http://www.biopark.co.uk/BioPark/BioPark-tenants/C...

Try the University too...