Profile
Pip Catchpole
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About Me:
I work as a scientist developing high-performance plastics in Lancashire! I live with my partner (also a scientist), and our cat (not a scientist).
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We love filling our weekends by socialising with others. We like to go for walks, shopping, and play the odd round of crazy golf or have a go at an escape room!
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My pronouns are:
She/ Her
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My Work:
I work as part of the chemistry team. We develop new high-performance plastics that are needed for long term use such as parts of phone speakers or knee joints.
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My Typical Day:
My typical day is a mixture of lab work and office work, with some meetings too. I enjoy a mixture of work as it means no two days are the same.
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I arrive at work for 8am, check my emails, then head into the lab to perform an experiment! If I’m not in the lab, I am writing up results or preparing for meetings. I have meetings to discuss starting a new project or what direction they should go in next. I also like to help with some volunteering events which involve a bit of planning. For example, I organised a bake sale to help raise money for charity! I finish work at 4pm and sometimes head to the gym on my way home.
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Education:
I attended high school and particularly enjoyed science. I chose biology, chemistry, and maths to study at A level. I particularly enjoyed chemistry and I was inspired by my teacher to study chemistry at university. I qualified with an integrated masters degree after 4 years of studying. Next, I did a Masters by Research in chemistry, followed by PhD in chemistry where I focused on making polymers (some polymers are also called plastics).
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Employer:
I work for a company called Victrex, who make high performance polymers (some polymers are also called plastics) which are used for special applications. They’re used in phone speakers for example, or to replace a knee joint. The company employees many people in a variety of roles including: chemists, engineers, technicians, finance, HR, and many more!
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I was never 100% sure what I wanted to do! I enjoyed chemistry, and with the encouragement of my A-level chemistry teacher, I applied to University to do a chemistry degree. I have kept following what I enjoy, and now I have a job I enjoy.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not really, I was quite quiet at school!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Probably working with animals. I love horses, cats, and dogs so a career working with one of these animals would be my second choice.
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