On Wednesday 23rd January, Oxford Instruments visited Bristol to run “Shaping the Future”, a day-long workshop focussed on career opportunities for physics PhD graduates in industry. The event was organised by Oxford Instruments’ NanoScience and Plasma Technology divisions, who are world leaders in cryogenic scientific equipment and thin film processing respectively. Oxford Instruments (OI) are strategic partners of the University of Bristol, and have close relations with the CDT-CMP through our Partner Placements, joint training workshops and joint studentships.
Shaping the Future was targeted at final year CDT students across the three CDTs, but was open to all postgraduate students in Bristol and Bath to attend. Approximately 45 students from across Physics attended the workshop, which was opened by Prof. Nigel Wilding, Head of the School of Physics in Bristol. The day began with an introduction to the science of Oxford Instruments’ business by Dr. Michael Cuthbert (Strategic Marketing Director, OI), who discussed the evolving role that quantum materials and technologies are contributing to their market. After lunch, Oonagh Fitzgerald (HR Director, OI) led a question and answer session with a cross-section of OI staff, where we learnt about the diverse pathways into employment with OI. Finally, Ben Knott (Talent Acquisition Partner, OI) discussed with students strategies for preparing for interviews and writing CVs. The students asked some excellent questions throughout the day, and were able to network with OI staff over working lunch and coffee breaks.