WolfLabs is putting technicians under the microscope!

This time, we’re featuring Georgie Dawes, a Laboratory Technician at the University of Southampton. From managing a tissue culture facility to troubleshooting high-tech lab equipment, Georgie keeps research running smoothly behind the scenes.

Read on to discover her career journey, biggest challenges, and advice for aspiring technicians.

1. Can you tell us about your current role?

• I'm a laboratory technician supporting research so a large part of what I do is facilitating academics, post docs, PhDs and students with their own research. I manage a tissue culture facility here in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton and that involves inducting new users and managing all aspects of the lab - equipment repairs and servicing, facility charges, space issues etc. I'm part of a large team of 18 other technicians and we all have our own expertise in other facilities and equipment. For example, I look after autoclaves, plate readers, qPCR machines, all sorts. This again involves inducting new users and troubleshooting. 

2. What inspired you to become a technician?

• When I finished university, I wanted to jump straight into cancer research but hit the very familiar wall of not enough experience, so after months of not getting anywhere I decided to give being a technician a go. I ended up totally loving the job and discovering I'm actually good at it! For me, it ticks all the boxes. I'm still involved in the science world and get to work with cutting edge equipment, but I don't have to worry about writing grants or planning experiments! I may not be the person curing Alzheimer's or solving world hunger but I'm supporting the people who are, so that makes me feel good about what I do.

3. What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

• I would say, getting users to follow the rules! We have several layers of inductions and quizzes to make sure new users dispose of waste correctly, book equipment correctly, do their turn on the cleaning rota etc, but it never fails to amaze how much work it can be to get people to behave! 

4. What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a technician? 

• Apprenticeships are an excellent way to become a technician, we've had a few apprentices ourselves over the years. It's a great way to learn and have a guaranteed job at the end of it. Another good place to start is in a secondary school, they're always looking for technicians. Once you've spent some time there gaining experience, you can move onto higher education if you want to. 

5. What are your plans over the next five years? 

• I'd love to be a Senior technician one day, with my own team of technicians. I'd also love to have a facility that runs itself, but then I'd be out a job wouldn't I? I'll be happy with a facility where everyone follows the rules and doesn't leave the place in a mess! 

6. We noticed you also have “Chief Happiness Officer” in your email signature — what’s that like?

• Haha, yes - I'm our faculty's Wellbeing Champion - there's loads of us across the university. It involves lending an ear when people just want to talk and signposting them to appropriate resources to help. I also plan events relating to various wellbeing events - recently for Move More Month I planned a school-wide step challenge which everyone loved. I really enjoy it, I'm very much a people person and take great joy in being able to make people smile.