Technicians Under the Microscope with Sam Goodfield

WolfLabs is putting technicians under the microscope!

This time, we’re featuring Sam Goodfield, a research laboratory technician at the Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge. 

Read on to discover Sam’s career journey, biggest challenges, and advice for aspiring technicians.

1. Can you tell us about your current role?

My current role is a Research Laboratory Technician at the Milner Therapeutics Institute, which is a part of the University of Cambridge. This role is a bit different from a normal lab tech role as at the Milner we have both in house research and we host early stage research companies. Because there is a large array of different research going on, these different groups have different needs that need to be met. My role is to support all of these groups however possible, through cleaning labs, maintaining and calibrating equipment, testing their cell samples for mycoplasma and pretty much any other lab related matter they need help with.

2. What inspired you to become a technician?

I was inspired to become a technician as I strived for a job that could make a difference in the world and I enjoy a technical job. The natural mix of these for me was a laboratory technician.

3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

My biggest challenge so far was learning about highly technical equipment that we have such as our flow cytometer. This piece of equipment was like nothing I had seen or used and is vastly technical, but it has become one of my favourite pieces of equipment.

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

My advice would be to go for it, especially if it’s something that you are passionate about, as there is nothing better than doing a job that you love.

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

My plans are to develop my skills and continue to make a positive impact on research that can aid countless people in the future.

6. What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day involves getting to work at 8am, having a coffee and catching up on emails, then I will go and do my lab duties for that day, which are cleaning, prepping and stocking the lab as well as maintaining the equipment in that lab through maintenance and calibration, then I’ll have my lunch around 11:30( early I know) followed by a meeting with the team to discuss lab matters and then home time at 4.

7. What’s the most surprising thing about being a technician that people might not know?

I think for me it was just how varied the role is, there is so much different things that encompass my role and many other technician roles and I believe that this makes being a technician so fun.

8. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy knowing that I am making a positive impact on the world through my work by enabling research to be completed in an efficient and accurate manner.

9. What song best describes your lab life?

I’d say Life is a highway by rascal flats mainly because that’s my go to song for lab work and that in my role nothing is ever the same.

10. What’s your favourite piece of lab equipment and why?

The flow cytometer is my favourite piece of equipment as like I said before when I first learned about it I was so perplexed but now after learning about it I’m still slightly perplexed by how it works but now I know mostly and am amazed at how it operates.

If you would like to feature in our Scientists/Technicians under the Microscope, get in touch at sales@wolflabs.co.uk