Rachel Southern

• I am responsible for the assembly, and test of MALDI mass spectrometer instruments. This includes knowledge of high voltage electronics, laser & optical components, vacuum systems, and mechanical sub-assemblies. • I work closely with the quality department to ensure regulatory requirements are met and ensure continuous improvement via the implementation of 5S and lean principles and identification and resolution of non-conforming products and materials. • I work to support our R&D department, by generating wiring drawings, proposing improvements to the design of the instrument, work instructions and test records.

Tutored Maths and Physics students to GCSE and A-Level standard

I worked in conjunction with the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester. I investigated the optical gain and photoluminescence of near infra red emitting silicon based materials, including bismuth-doped silica films and silicon nanocrystal samples using the variable stripe length (VSL) technique, for potential use as on-chip optical amplifiers. I also used the VSL method to measure the gain properties of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) materials. I also used photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy to investigate defects of semi-polar InGaN/GaN MQW, which is an important material for potential use in efficient green LEDs.

Tutor A Level and GCSE students in Physics and Maths

Manufactured and tested solid state lasers. The below video shows me at 2.20 producing and conducting tests on the company's best selling laser, the gem.

conducted a three month research project on the 3-dimensional imaging of live cells.

Final year project involved the construction of a radio telescope to detect the 21cm line of atomic hydrogen and thus infer the spiral arm structure of the galaxy.