Women in STEM
We recognise the incredible contributions that women make to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Catching up with Hannah Swainston - Senior Analyst
We recently caught up with Hannah after she completed her Masters Degree in Analytical Science at the University of Lincoln. She gives us an update into her journey with RPS since joining us 3 years ago in our Bedford Laboratories.
Having studied Environmental Science at university, Hannah joined the RPS Bedford Laboratory with an interest in creating salient change and learning something new every day. Last we met Hannah, she was passionate about continuing her studies to develop her technical knowledge further and help her to progress in her career. It was not long after that RPS began supporting Hannah in completing her Masters’ Degree in Analytical Science at the University of Lincoln. Now three years since joining RPS, Hannah has completed her degree with flying colours and has moved up to a Senior Analyst role within the Bedford Laboratory! Here we catch up with Hannah to hear what she has learned, what’s the experience been like for her and where she aims to go from here.
When did you complete your Masters’ Degree and what was the experience like for you?
I completed my Masters in September 2023 and graduated April 2024. It was a worthwhile and challenging experience. The course modules were very interesting and developed my skill set, it was great to get experience using a range of different instruments. I had to be very organised and disciplined because the workload of the course alongside a full-time job was intense.
What did you learn that has helped you at RPS?
I learnt more about the different instruments in use at RPS, from both LC (liquid chromatography) and GC (gas chromatography) departments. I developed my technical knowledge further and by completing my final project on a complex instrument within the laboratory, I learnt a lot about new extraction techniques. I have a better understanding of which analytes are possible to be extracted via these techniques and how to develop methods to analyse analytes down to lower detection limits.
What challenges did you face?
The biggest challenges I faced with the course was the distance learning and meeting the deadlines for my coursework. I was enrolled to the course 2 weeks late, so I started 2 weeks behind everyone. Trying to catch up with all the lectures and the workload was tough. Being a long-distance learner also made it challenging to sort issues that arose with the university and maintain good level of communication with lecturers.
How has your role changed, and your career progressed since then?
When I first enrolled on the course, I was an Analyst in VOC (volatile organic compounds), carrying out extractions, analysis and instrument maintenance. During my course I moved to the CIP (Chemicals Investigation Programme) side of the Gas Chromatography department, learning new methods and taking on more responsibility, interacting with extractors. I then moved back to the core side of GC and in January 2023, I became the GC core Senior Analyst. I have now been a Senior Analyst for over a year where I schedule a team of extractors, manage workloads and am involved in a range of projects in the lab.
What are you enjoying most about your role?
The best part about my role is the people I get to work with within the laboratory. I work with a great team of extractors and analysts whose work ethic and expertise make it possible to achieve our goals. I also interact with the sales team and coordinators daily and enjoy learning about their roles.
What is one of the most interesting projects you’ve worked on and why?
At RPS, there are a large number of projects that we work on to develop new methods and improve current ones. One of the most interesting was my final year project for my course as it was the first big project I took on, I did it all independently, there was a lot of research to do, and I learnt a lot that I have been able to develop more methods.
How does your role help contribute to a better world for RPS and everyone else?
At RPS, we analyse for contaminants within the environment and develop new methods to expand the scope of testing we can offer. We do monitoring schemes for workplace exposure, meaning workers should be working in safe environments. We also do monitoring testing for influent and effluent samples. Companies knowing they are being monitored should ensure they do not introduce high levels of contaminants into the environment. The results we acquire will be sent back to the customers who will act accordingly on the data.
Why is this a great career?
Working in analytical science is challenging but rewarding. There are always advances in the field as new instruments and techniques are developed, so you are always learning and needing to develop and improve methods to keep up with customer and monitoring level requirements. It is rewarding when we have successfully achieved the new methods.
What key advice would you give to someone who was considering joining RPS?
RPS is a good company to work at as they encourage and support you in your professional development. In the laboratory there are a lot of opportunities to learn new technical skills and work with a great team of people.
