Careers in Chemistry

Syft Technologies is a Christchurch-based company producing world-leading technology in the field of environmental analysis.

Syft's technology grew out of research into ion chemistry in the atmosphere at UC. The commercial applications for the vast database of information accumulated in conjunction with international researchers were recognised in the late 1990s.  In 2002 Syft became a reality with the help of investors and a Canterprise initiative and today has customers around the world.

Syft's superior technology offers customers greater speed and accuracy than previously thought possible in analytical chemistry, with instruments vastly reduced in scale, making for greater mobility. Users can receive instant readouts of data as precise as parts per trillion.

Customers include communications giant Samsung, car manufacturer Ford and multiple governments. Applications are varied - Syft technology has been used in manufacturing, medicine, the environment and workplaces with toxic chemicals who are required to keep exposure below legislated minimums. Other applications have included pollution readouts on city streets.

Syft's longstanding UC relationship has seen it both hire graduates and offer internship opportunities for students. Up to 30 students can be employed in the University's summer break and graduates of UC are found at all levels of the company, from senior management to recent graduates like Helena Barnes.

Internships offer UC students real-world experience, ensuring they are work ready upon graduation. Syft Technologies is a shining example of the wide-ranging effects of departmental research

Chemsafety provides technical consultancy services to industry, specialising in chemical risk management and occupational hygiene.

Founded by a UC Chemistry PhD graduate 25 years ago, Chemsafety employs 15 people, 12 with science backgrounds. The majority are taken on as fresh graduates. The base qualification requirement is a BSc strong in Chemistry as this ensures applicants have a strong knowledge of chemistry, which together with a demonstrated ability for scientific problem solving and critical thinking provides an excellent skill base for our science consultants.

As a result of the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes New Zealanders have become much more aware of the risk from asbestos in buildings. The Christchurch rebuild saw a significant increase in asbestos consultancy for the business and an increase from five to 15 staff. Additionally, an increased awareness of the need for good health and safety procedures (which has been in part due to the new Health and Safety at work Act 2015) has seen significant growth in our industry.

This growth enabled the company to gain placings within the Deloitte Fast 50 fastest growth New Zealand companies list for both 2013 and 2014. Chemsafety was also named as Deloitte's fastest growing mature business in the same years.

This demonstrates the significant growth potential for the science-based service industry. It is important to remember that most science is a business and must show a profit to survive, achieved by providing benefit to paying clients.

UC graduate Bridgette joined Chemsafety 14 years ago and has expanded her knowledge to become an extremely competent Occupational Hygienist and has developed excellent management skills.

“After leaving UC with a BSc in Chemistry I started working for Chemsafety specialising in the field of occupational hygiene and asbestos consultancy. Now I have been with Chemsafety for 14 years and in that time I have worked to be the Managing Director and a shareholder. I think it’s important for Science graduates to realise that science can take you to any industry and any management level.”

Master of Science in Chemistry graduate Ethan Lankshear has found his calling in teaching secondary school students.

"UC provided me with a wide scientific knowledge and practical skill set that allows me to make clear links between all areas of science. It provided great lecturers, Erskine fellows and visiting guests who helped to show me that science is a worldwide network of learning and collaboration," Ethan says.

Ethan appreciated the wide variety of courses offered and helpful and approachable staff. Particularly valuable skills learned at UC included hands-on problem-solving skills, the ability to research answers to a problem, the courage to try new things and learn from failures and mistakes and the ability to communicate complex ideas to anyone regardless of scientific background.

Ethan said he looked forward to spreading the joy of science and in particular Chemistry to more of the next generation while trying to keep up to date with new discoveries.

His advice for Chemistry students was simple.

"Find the area of Chemistry that you love and explore it is much as you can, but always be aware and open to other interesting facets of Chemistry and science as a whole. Don’t narrow yourself down to one small area too soon."

Sean Smith is a Professor in Computational Nanomaterials Science and Engineering Director of the Integrated Materials Design Centre at the University of New South Wales, Sydney.

"My PhD studies at UC launched me along a scientific pathway that took me through postdoctoral experience in Germany and California; an academic appointment as lecturer, growing to Professor at Uni of Queensland; Directorship of a US Department of Energy Nanoscience Centre at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and now to my roles at UNSW Sydney."

Sean said the department was notable for its high-quality instruction and mentorship. He also believed there were few places more beautiful than New Zealand's South Island to study.

Skills learned from UC included persistence, identifying the most important questions to ask and determination. The next stage of his work will see Sean move into new IP in the renewable energy sector and startup companies. 

"Watch this space!"

He said Chemistry was the central enabling science and provided a strong foundation that could lead students anywhere in "a fast-evolving employment environment where flexibility is key.''

"Interdisciplinarity is also key – so mix your Chemistry major with something different to further enhance your credentials for adaptability."

David Garrett completed one year of study at UC then pursued other interests, returning at age 30 to complete his studies through to PhD level. He now runs a research group at the University of Melbourne working with carbon materials like diamond and graphene, in particular for use as components in medical implants.

"We have research programmes making devices to record signals from the brain for epilepsy detection and to control prosthetic limbs and devices for restoring vision to people with retinal diseases that cause blindness. Our flagship device, an all-diamond stimulator for the retina called the Diamond Eye, is currently being commercialised by Canadian company iBIONICS. I am responsible for proving that our device offers higher-quality synthetic vision than our competitors." 

David said the strong research grounding he received at UC led to his current work, in particular at postgraduate level. 

"At this level you will be doing things that have never been done before and adding new knowledge to the world."

He said UC Chemistry had a collaborative, friendly and supportive environment.

''The first year of a chemistry-focused degree (like most courses, I suspect) was daunting. Full lecture theatres and a huge amount of new and challenging information to assimilate. The experience changed dramatically as I moved through to third year and beyond. At each stage the classes became smaller and more focused and I enjoyed getting to know my lecturers and tutors, people who have dedicated much of their lives to teaching and the pursuit of new knowledge."

The connections of the Chemistry department with other scientific agencies opened doors. Involvement with the MacDiarmid Institute led to a placement with IBM in California.

"A compelling addition to any CV and ultimately, the addition that got me the job I have now."

David said Chemistry students needed to remember to be "amazed".

"I remember, on the way through my undergraduate degree, learning about self-assembling chemical systems. Chemistry that, by design, assembles from single molecules into larger structures without any intervention apart from setting up the initial conditions. What amazed me is the fact that WE are such a system. Self-assembled out of molecules that we have eaten during our lifetime. It’s easy to do well when you find the subject fascinating."