University Technician
Idman is a Research Technician at Bristol Medical School
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
