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Meet Kate Osborn

Research and Development Technician

Kate is an Experimental Operations Technician at First Light Fusion

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What I do

I work in a team that’s researching how to produce clean energy using nuclear fusion. We’re testing ways to recreate the same process that powers the Sun, but doing it safely here on Earth.

Our goal is to help make nuclear fusion power stations a reality, which would be a clean and safe way to generate electricity, with no carbon dioxide emissions, and less radioactive waste.

Nuclear fusion is a different process from nuclear fission, which is what happens in nuclear power stations.

Fusion is an exciting area of science that could change the future of energy production and help with the climate crisis.

Research and development technician Kate, in the lab, wearing safety goggles, precisely aligning an array of lenses.

How I became a technician

For my GCSE options, I chose PE, drama, design technology (resistant materials) and French. After that, I did A-levels in philosophy and law, but it turns out this wasn’t the best choice for me, as I wasn’t a big fan of writing essays.

My teachers were shocked when I told them I didn’t want to go to university. They even brought my parents in for a meeting about it, but my parents supported my decision. They just wanted me to do what was right for me.

How I became a technician

After my A-levels, I wanted something more hands-on, so I worked in retail for a few years alongside going to college to do a Level 2 plumbing course.

I completed the course, but I didn’t end up going into plumbing. Instead, I applied for a Multi Skilled Depot apprenticeship with Southern Gas Networks, which meant doing things like laying gas pipes and responding to gas leaks.

How I became a technician

However, Southern Gas suggested I tried a different apprenticeship instead, called Electrical and Instrumentation.

I didn’t know what Electrical and Instrumentation was at the time, but I went for it and found it really interesting.

The job involved installing, fixing and calibrating equipment like pressure and flow sensors – things that are needed to keep the gas network safe.

How I became a technician

I finished my four-year apprenticeship with loads of useful qualifications, including a Level 3 NVQ and a HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

I worked for Southern Gas Networks for 12 years before deciding I needed a change.

How I became a technician

I spotted a job opportunity at First Light Fusion and thought it looked exciting, even though I wasn’t sure I had the right experience. But they liked my background, and I got the job!

Now I’m part of a team working on nuclear fusion research.

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A typical day in my working life

I usually start at around 9am. We’re able to start any time from 7:30am, but I’m not a morning person! We begin with a meeting to plan the day and work out who’s operating which machine and what times the experiments are taking place.

We make a plan for the shared equipment, like high-speed cameras that are used to film the experiments, making sure everything runs smoothly, safely, and nothing overlaps.

A typical day in my working life

We’ve got loads of different machines which we’re using to try and create high enough pressure and temperature for nuclear fusion to take place.

These include two giant pulsed power machines (machines that can store a large amount of electrical charge and then release it all at once) and two gas guns (which we use to compress targets filled with fuel, to try and trigger fusion).

A typical day in my working life

A lot of my day is spent setting up the experiments. That includes mounting targets inside the machines and making sure everything is perfectly aligned using lasers and measuring tilt angles right down to tiny fractions of a degree.

Once everything’s ready, we run the experiment. Sometimes this just means pressing a button to fire a huge scientific cannon!

A typical day in my working life

The experiment only takes a split second, but we learn a lot from the results.

After it’s done, I spend time cleaning the machines – they have to be spotless as a build-up of dirt could jeopardise the experiments.

I usually finish my day at around 5:30pm.

A typical day in my working life

Sometimes I need to make parts for the experiments. I once spent six months making wire arrays – webs made of hundreds of ultra-thin wires, each about half the width of a human hair.

The arrays were used as targets for one of our pulsed power machines. Each wire had to be cut, weighed, and assembled very carefully using tweezers. I loved it, I really enjoy that sort of delicate hands-on work.

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Research and Development technician Kate, in the experimentation area surrounded by equipment, with her safety goggles on her head, crouching next to a panel of gas tubes and dials.

What I love about my job

I love the moment just after an experiment. You’re in the control room with scientists, engineers and other technicians, all waiting to see what happened.

It might be the result of months or even years of work, and then in less than the blink of an eye – boom! – it’s over.

When the data starts coming in and you realise the experiment went well, it’s such a buzz.

I also really enjoy learning new things and being trusted to take the lead on my own project.

The skills I use most

Being hands-on is a huge part of what I do. I need to have good manual dexterity, which is being able to use your hands for small, delicate tasks, so that I can carefully set up experiments.

Problem solving is really important too. Sometimes things don’t go to plan, and I have to think on my feet to fix it.

When the data starts coming in and you realise the experiment went well, it’s such a buzz.
I literally get to blow things up in the name of science, how many people can say that?!
Follow what you are curious about and what makes you happy.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

We’ve got a great team of five technicians, plus our manager. Everyone’s got different backgrounds – we’ve got ex-Navy, ex-apprentices, and people with experience in other technical jobs. It’s a mix of ages too. Everyone’s really supportive, and there’s always someone to ask if you need help.

What’s great is that everyone’s ideas are welcome, no matter your job title, or how long you’ve been working there. If a technician spots a better way to do something, the whole team listens.

My favourite piece of equipment

My favourite bit of kit is the 'small' gas gun. It’s a huge, high-tech version of a cannon that we use to fire projectiles at extreme speeds, 7 km per second, into targets.

It’s not just fun to use, it’s my responsibility to look after, so I know it inside out. It’s the one piece of equipment I can fully run by myself from start to finish. I love the precision of setting everything up, running the experiment and seeing the results.

What I like to do in my spare time

I try to stay active. I did my first half marathon last year and I’m planning a few more this year.

I’ve also got into padel (like everyone else!) and I do a bit of rock climbing. Being outside is important to me, especially after a day in the lab.

My school days

I wasn’t a huge fan of writing essays, which probably explains why I didn’t get on with my A-levels. I liked practical subjects at school and spent time fixing things with my dad, who could build or repair pretty much anything.

I think that’s where my interest in technical work began, even though I didn’t realise it at the time. It gave me confidence to use tools and try new things.

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

The most exciting thing so far has been getting to travel for work. I’ve supported experiments in California at one of the biggest science labs in the USA, and I’ve just come back from New Mexico, where we used the world’s largest pulse power machine to try and break a world record for high pressure.

It’s amazing to be part of global research like that.

A surprising fact about my job

People assume working in nuclear fusion must mean I’m based at a power station, but that’s not true. We’re doing research and development to help create the future of clean energy.

I literally get to blow things up in the name of science, how many people can say that?!

The next steps in my career journey

I’ve just been promoted to senior technician, so I’m focusing on leading more projects and learning everything I can.

I’m also part of a new team testing our cryogenic capabilities (getting down to very low temperatures), which is fascinating.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Trust what you enjoy. If you like building things, fixing things or working with your hands, don’t ignore that just because everyone else is talking about going to university.

You don’t have to be amazing at writing essays to have a brilliant career. There are loads of hands-on jobs out there that are just as important and just as exciting. Follow what you are curious about and what makes you happy.

Research and Development technician Kate, in the experimentation area surrounded by equipment, using a drill on a piece of large circular panelling.

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