Profile

Photo:

Mike Langford

    • About Me:

      I live in Lincolnshire and wanted to be a scientist for as long as I can remember.

    • My pronouns are:

      He/him

    • My Work:

      Principal Scientist and Laboratory Director for Medical Laboratories

    • Read more

      Medical laboratories test samples of blood or tissue to see how well a person is.

    • My Typical Day:

      I mainly work from home as I have eleven Ā laboratories all over the UK. I am in a senior role, so no longer on the bench, instead I work on long term plans, by reading science papers. I spend time checking that our tests are safe, and then plan to make sure we have people and equipment needed.

    • Read more

      I no longer work on shifts, but have long days from 830 when I log on to check emails. Lots of meetings about lot of topics, then about 4 pm will start on actions I need to complete. There are some evening meetings that start at 6 with the doctors that work with us.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      Thatā€™s tough ! Ā I have some hand drawn body pictures and home made ā€˜wee samplesā€™ that I use in schools. I would like these to be more ā€˜professionalā€™

    Candidate CV questions (extra)

    • Education:

      A long time ago – schools in Suffolk, Clare Middle School, Castle Manor Upper School in Haverhill.

      Left home to study at Portsmouth Polytechnic (now university)

      Also studied in NESCOT (Epsom)

      Andā€¦ Birmigham, and Londonā€¦.

      The learning never stops.. Iā€™m too curious

    • Qualifications:

      9 O levels

      BSc Biomedical Sciences

      MSc Biomedical Sciences

      Quality system qualifications – such as lead auditor

      NEBOSH in Health and Safety

      Management certificate

       

      I have changed roles a lot – so like be as qualified as i can

    • Work History:

      Lotsā€¦

      I did summertime work on a farm from age 14. Spent all day driving combine harvester on on 16th birthday.

      Then waiter at Happy Eater, and as student a lab tech for a grain company

      Bit of time in regular Army, followed by 16 years in the Army reserves (Royal Artillery)

      As a scientist.. trainee Biomedical Scientist at Addenbrrookes Cambridge

      Then worked up grades in Reading, Ashford, Norwich, Hull, Nottingham, London- before regional role in East Midlands and now a national role.

      You dont need to move as much as I did – but it gave me wide experience.

       

    • Current Job:

      Principal Scientist and Laboratory Director

    • Employer:

      Spire Healthcare

      An independent group of 39 hospitals throughout the UK

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        A scientist.. and a musician in the army! I have done both

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Errrā€¦ maybe once or twice

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        A teacher

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Queen (itā€™s an age thing)

        What's your favourite food?

        Lasagne and chips

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        To travel more with my family, to live in Northumberland where I grew up, to stay healthy

        Tell us a joke.

        Why canā€™t you trust an atom? Because they make up literally everything

Questions answered by Mike

No questions to show