Idman Abdullahi Mohamed, Research Laboratory Technician

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What I do

My job is to help scientists who are doing research into diseases like cancer and diabetes, as well as neuroscience (studying the brain). I prepare their equipment, check their cell samples for infection and make sure everything is stored at the right temperature. By doing this, I help them to focus on their research, which could one day lead to new treatments and cures.

How I became a technician

After my GCSEs, I did A-levels in computer science, maths and chemistry. I thought I wanted a job in computer science, and I even started a degree in computer engineering. I realised it wasn’t for me though, and I dropped out and a friend told me to look into apprenticeships.

How I became a technician

I found an advert for an education technician apprenticeship at the University of Bristol. It sounded perfect - lab work focusing on sustainability and biology, which I’ve always been interested in. I applied and was so pleased to be accepted. During my apprenticeship I learnt loads, passed my final assessment with a distinction, and was then taken on full time in the same team. I’m so glad I found this route.

A typical day in my working life

I start work at 8.30am. One of the first things I do is check the autoclave room (that’s where we sterilise equipment and deal with lab waste). I also wash and sort coloured lab coats for different teams to stop cross-contamination.

A typical day in my working life

My team looks after the whole building, so I might be collecting waste from labs, ordering supplies or putting things away in special storage. Some things have to be kept at room temperature, others in fridges, and some in freezers that go down to -150°C!

A typical day in my working life

I also do lab work myself. Right now, I’m helping the Cancer Research group test frozen cells for an infection called mycoplasma. If the cells are safe, I add them to the stock so the team can use them in their research. We’re a team of four and we always have a catch-up to plan our week. No two days are ever the same!

What I love about my job

I love how interesting and varied it is, I never know what I’ll be doing when I walk in. One day, I’m checking samples, another day, there could be an emergency with a broken freezer, or I could be fixing a fume cupboard – every day is different!

The skills I use most

One of the biggest skills I’ve learnt is asking for help. At school, I always thought I had to figure things out by myself. But in a lab, asking questions is really important for safety and doing things properly. I’ve also got much better at presenting. I used to have stage fright, but now I give talks to new apprentices and students doing work experience. I’m even a mentor and the co-chair of our apprentice staff network. I’ve learnt to be good at listening and staying focused, especially when working with dangerous or delicate things.

I love how interesting and varied it is, I never know what I’ll be doing when I walk in.

Your education journey doesn’t have to be a straight line. I thought university was the only way, but there are so many other options.

A little more about my everyday role

The best part of working in a team

My team is small, just four of us, but that’s what makes it great. We always know what’s going on, we help each other out and we solve problems together. Whether it’s deciding how to fix something or dealing with a lab emergency, we’ve always got each other’s backs. Even across the wider university, it’s a big community. I get to meet loads of different people and learn what they’re working on. It’s a really supportive place.

My favourite piece of equipment

The freezers. It might sound strange, but they go down to -80°C and even -150°C. I remember thinking “how is that even possible?” when I first saw them. We have entire rooms full of freezers. They’re fascinating, and also really important. We monitor how much energy they use and have found that older models use way more electricity than newer ones. It’s one way I help with lab sustainability, which I really care about.

What I like to do in my spare time

I’ve always loved reading. I also enjoy sports like netball and badminton, and have even tried chess (I wasn’t very good, but I liked it). These days, I’m getting back into reading and always looking for new things to learn.

My school days

I had a really good time at secondary school. My teachers were amazing and my classmates were always helping each other. My science teacher especially made a big difference. I loved biology and that really stuck with me. School gave me the confidence to keep trying different things until I found the right fit.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

Getting a distinction in my final apprenticeship exam! I worked really hard for it. I spent a year shadowing different departments and going to extra workshops so I could learn as much as possible. On the day of the exam, I was really sick and could barely speak, but I did it anyway. I thought I’d just pass, but when I found out I got a distinction, I was so proud. I told everyone!

A surprising fact about my job

Some of the cells I work with were frozen before I was born! We also support the brain bank. They get real brain donations, slice them into sections and study them to learn more about diseases like dementia. During my first days as a technician apprentice, I saw a brain dissection. It was so cool!

The next steps in my career journey

Right now, I want to keep gaining experience and growing my skills. I’m open to studying more in the future, but for now I’m really enjoying what I do and all the opportunities I’ve got in my role.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Your education journey doesn’t have to be a straight line. I thought university was the only way, but there are so many other options like apprenticeships. You can still get a great job, learn loads and earn money without going into debt. Try different things and find what works for you.