Hannah Brice: Siemens graduate

JOB Magnet engineer
EMPLOYER Siemens plc
QUALIFICATIONS BA and MSci materials science, University of Cambridge (2009)

I liked the idea of applying my academic background to healthcare. In my first year at Cambridge I was accepted onto a scholarship scheme that my current employer has with the university. I worked for the company in my summer vacations and decided that I could see myself there longer term. Scanners for medical settings I’m now a magnet engineer based at Siemens Magnet Technology in Eynsham, where my employer designs and manufactures superconducting magnets for MRI body scanners. These are used in medical settings to aid diagnosis by producing high resolution images of internal soft tissues, and may soon also be used to treat patients.

Time in the workshop

Some of my projects concern the manufacturing of current products, but most focus on innovations for the future. I typically start with desk research to develop a clear understanding of the area that needs to be improved, including defining the problem and the scope of the task. I then begin to devise possible solutions, plan what tests I need to carry out and conduct these. During the testing phase I spend a lot of time in the workshop, setting up experiments and taking measurements. I then analyse the results and communicate these to colleagues. I also liaise closely with colleagues to ensure that the magnet will still interface correctly with other elements of the scanner (for example the cryostat and electronics) before putting forward an argument with supporting evidence for the choice of one engineering solution over another.

I spend about 75 cent of the time working by myself and 25 per cent with others, depending on what stage of a project I’m at. In the initial design stage I primarily work on my own, and liaise more with others in the later phases. I work most closely with colleagues who, like me, work in the magnet group on future developments. However, I’m currently overseeing a project in which the research has been outsourced to a third party. I monitor and guide progress, which involves regular meetings in person and by telephone.

Visits to Germany

I don’t have to be especially mobile. However, I have travelled several times to Erlangen in Germany, where various components (gradient and RF coils) are fitted to our products, and made a handful of visits to suppliers in the UK and abroad. I also recently spent a day at a hospital with one of our service engineers, as a training opportunity. This team travels the world to maintain our scanners, and the day helped me to appreciate the issues that arise once they have been installed in hospitals.

I enjoy being involved in both research and production-focused projects, and the fact that MRI work combines different engineering and science disciplines. It’s also very satisfying to work on products that are beneficial to hospital patients. My career highlight so far has been being accepted to present at a magnet technology conference in a few months’ time, where I’ll be talking about the results of one of my research projects.