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What’s your job?

I’m a scientist - an atmospheric physicist and a senior teaching fellow at Imperial College London. In my spare time I am also a DJ (DJ Kemist).

How did you get started in this role?

Whilst working on a project to detect very small amounts of harmful chemicals in the air, I did a degree in chemistry followed by a PhD.

I now split my time between teaching physics, DJing and remixing music, and developing air pollution monitoring instruments for the company that I co-founded.

What inspires you?

I was born in Nottingham in the 1970s to parents who had emigrated from Jamaica, as part of the Windrush generation.

My mother was a great advocate for education. She used to say that education is your passport out of poverty. When I started to do well in chemistry tests at school, the ‘boffins’ who always did well were very unhappy, but this showed me I was someone who could do well and so I kept trying.

Qualifications

PhD in Physics at The Imperial College London, BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry at the University of Manchester.

Before this I did A-levels in Maths, Chemistry, and Economics.

Best thing about your job

I love knowing that the work I do is both rewarding and also has the potential to improve the quality of lives for many people across the globe.

Future plans

I plan to bring the joy of studying science to more people throughout the world, especially those who have little opportunity to do so. I also want to continue to DJ and produce music.

Top tips

• Aptitude + Attitude = Altitude
• Stay versatile in an ever-changing world
• Know yourself. Be yourself. As they say 'it’s always better to be a first-rate you than a second-rate somebody else.'

What to expect if you want to be a physicist

• Physicist average salary: £15,609 to £50,000 per year
• Physicist typical working hours: 35 to 40 hours per week

What qualifications do you need to be a physicist?

You could get into this role via a university course, an apprenticeship or a graduate training scheme.

Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service

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