Jasmine Downes, University Technician

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What I do

I prepare chemicals, glassware and equipment for university students who are doing practical work in the laboratory. This includes setting up and clearing away experiments, ensuring safety standards and providing first aid when necessary. I also help maintain the laboratory’s equipment, process chemical waste, and keep the lab clean and tidy.

Jasmine preparing samples in the lab with a pipette, wearing a lab coat, safety glasses, and protective gloves.

How I became a technician

I've always been passionate about science. I always wanted to work in science, and I even drew pictures of myself as a scientist when I was eight! During my Year 10 work experience, I worked as a laboratory technician, which solidified my interest.

How I became a technician

At school, I took a wide range of GCSEs, including double science, ICT, religious studies, design and technology: resistant materials, geography, history, statistics and astronomy. For A-levels, I chose chemistry, biology, maths and geography. While studying, I volunteered as a teaching assistant and also helped with the science club.

How I became a technician

After deciding not to attend university, I worked in Sterile Services at Norwich Community Hospital, where I processed and sterilised medical equipment. This gave me experience in maintaining high standards of infection control and using medical instruments.

How I became a technician

I then took on various part-time technician roles at the University of East Anglia, supporting the anatomy and research labs in the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, and these experiences led to my current role.

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Jasmine mixing chemicals together in a fume cupboard, wearing a lab coat, safety glasses, and protective gloves.

A typical day in my working life

I start my day at 8am by setting up the laboratory. This involves preparing chemicals, turning on fume hoods (a covered area to work in which stops you being exposed to harmful gases and dust) and setting up instruments like spectrophotometers (which measures light passed through a solution) and rotary evaporators for the 9am class.

During the class, it's important I make sure everything is safe.

A typical day in my working life

I check for spillages, provide glassware and make sure students are wearing safety glasses and lab coats. I also keep an eye on chemical usage and refill bottles as needed.

After the class ends, my team and I pack away the used equipment, handle the chemical waste and clean the benches and fume hoods. We repeat this process for the afternoon session and prepare for future practical lessons by getting chemicals and glassware ready and making up any solutions that need time to settle.

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What I love about my job

I love the attention to detail, organisation and task management which is needed in my role. It’s rewarding to see everything run smoothly and know that I’ve contributed to the students’ learning experience. I enjoy the variety of tasks, from preparing complex chemical solutions to ensuring the lab’s safety standards are met. Helping to create the best learning experience for the students is always rewarding.

It's rewarding to see everything run smoothly and know that I've contributed to the students' learning

Our team has a mix of experience levels, we’re a very strong and capable team!

The skills I use most

Being organised is crucial to manage my workload and meet deadlines. And attention to detail helps me spot safety issues quickly, like if someone isn’t wearing their lab specs. Keeping calm under pressure is also important, especially when dealing with chemical spillages or first aid incidents – we have students working with substances like acid, so we have to be very careful! I also need to be precise in preparing accurate and reliable chemical solutions and maintaining detailed records.

A little more about
my everyday role

The best part of working in a team

Working in a team allows us to support each other and share the workload. It's great to have colleagues who can help out when things get busy or when unexpected tasks arise. Our team has a mix of experience levels, we’re a very strong and capable team! We work together to order supplies, set up labs and ensure everything is ready for the students.

My favourite piece of equipment

I love the magnetic stirrer plate. You place a small magnetic stirrer in a solution, set it on the plate and will stir itself and also heat up, to dissolve chemicals. It's practical because you can leave it to work overnight and come back to find everything dissolved perfectly in the morning. It's also useful for continuously measuring pH levels by placing a probe in the solution and adjusting it as needed.

What I like to do in my spare time

I'm a leader in Girlguiding, running a group of Rainbows aged 4 to 7. I'm also the local Commissioner, supporting other Guide groups and local volunteers. I also enjoy researching my family history and have built our family tree, which now has over 20,000 people in it!

The advice I’d give to someone younger

It doesn't matter if school doesn't work out how you planned. There are so many different jobs out there, including ones you didn't even know existed. Keep exploring and you'll find something that suits you.