Head of the Advanced Materials and Surfaces Group, Tyndall National Institute
Prof Martyn Premble, Advanced materials and surfaces
What were the main career decision milestones in your life so far?
My choice of subjects in secondary school was an important milestone.
Who most influenced your career direction?
My school science teacher was a big influence. Later on, my peers at university and my partner and family also had an important influence on the direction of my career.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
Yes – I am pretty much my own boss now. I can choose when and where I work. I can spend plenty of time with my family, and there are also plenty of opportunities available for advancement and to diversify my interests.
Describe a typical day
I get to work early to avoid traffic. I find the time between 8am and 10am very productive as I can get on with anything that needs doing. My day involves working alone, discussions with my research group, giving lectures and tutorials, attending meetings and generally overseeing the various research grants and contracts that we are currently involved in.
I tend to leave around 4.30pm – again to miss traffic and to ensure that I am home in time to sit down for dinner with my family. I often do a few more hours’ work at home. My PC is set up so that to all intents and purposes it is exactly like being at work.
What are your main tasks and responsibilities?
Teaching and supervision, obtaining funds for research, writing grant proposals, producing research material, performing administrative duties and contributing to strategic decisions.
Obtaining research funding is always a challenge, as is pushing the research along rapidly and developing new ideas and concepts.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
I am very creative and have lots of ideas. I am able to motivate people very effectively. I am regarded as an expert in certain fields.
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
English, maths, chemistry, physics, French, geography, computer science, human biology, technical drawing.
Although I did not do particularly well at Ordinary level, I had decided to study chemistry at university and thus needed maths, physics and chemistry at Advanced Level to get a place.
With hindsight, I would probably do the same all over again.
What is your education to date?
Grammar school – the subjects noted above for ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels
University of Southampton – BSc honours chemistry
University of Southampton – PhD chemistry
University of California at Irvine, and University of East Anglia – postdoctoral training
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
Achieving the post of Chair (Professor) of Physical Chemistry at the University of Salford, and winning substantial funding from Science Foundation Ireland.
What personal qualities do you have that help you in your career?
I am optimistic, diplomatic, intelligent, and easy going.
What is your dream job?
Space scientist on a space station.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
If you enjoy the sciences, then study them further. It is likely that you will do well at subjects you enjoy. Getting good grades at an early stage does not force you into a career path, but it does help to keep more options open.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
You must like what you do – it is not just a 9 to 5 job and often requires much more. You must persevere – aim high and be confident in your own abilities.
You must be flexible – while having specific aims and objectives is a good thing, very often there are many ways by which some or all of these may be achieved. Consider all the options.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
A summer internship/work experience in a university science department or in a research centre like the Tyndall Institute would give you a good grounding.
