Work Experience.

Responsibilities, experience & achievements of Dr. Paul A. Steward, whilst working at the Nottingham Trent University:

  1. Fundamental investigative research in the field of colloidal polymer latices, latex films and penetrant transport, in collaboration with the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE), Porton Down. (Now part of the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory.)

  2. Publication of scientific papers in the open literature.

  3. 'Hands-on' experience in a number of techniques, eg:
    • latex/polymer film formation;
    • gas, vapour and solution diffusion/permeation in latex/polymer films;
    • particle sizing by photon correlation spectroscopy;
    • particle electrophoresis;
    • UV/visible spectrophotometry;
    • mercury intrusion porosimetry (ie, pore size determination);
    • radio-isotopes as tracers;
    • free radical polymer latex emulsion/surfactant-free polymerisations;
    • computer driven instrumentation (eg, implemented a semi-automated system for measuring solute permeabilities);
    • analysis of SEM, TEM & FFTEM data;
    • Significant experience in computing, with an extensive knowledge of a large range of PC software and hardware systems.

  4. Lecturing undergraduate BSc chemistry and physics students (physical chemistry, surface chemistry special option and analytical chemistry; physics laboratory).

During the course of the PhD research project, experience was gained in a number of techniques of surface/polymer chemistry and also analytical chemistry: eg, characterisation of film morphology using permeant probes; free radical emulsion polymerisation; UV/visible spectrophotometry; particle sizing by photon correlation spectroscopy; electrophoresis; pore size distribution measurement by mercury intrusion porosimetry; use of radio-isotopes as tracers.

Have wide knowledge of current trends in the field of research, from an extensive literature review prepared for my Thesis. Eg, in the fields of emulsion polymerisation, polymer characterisation, diffusion, and protective coatings (eg, paints, etc.) and pharmaceutical devices (eg, for sustained/controlled release).

Computer literate with extensive experience of computing and the use of instruments interfaced to computers. Have knowledge of a wide range of industry standard IBM personal computer compatible software, and experienced providing technical support to University departmental academic and administrative staff.

Supplementing the research, was employed, full time, by the Nottingham Trent University as a Demonstrator, and have experience of teaching in both laboratory classes and tutorials for all years of both BSc Applied Chemistry and Combined Sciences degree courses. The majority of this teaching was in the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory: specifically colloid/surface chemistry, demonstrating to the Surface Chemistry Special Option for final year BSc undergraduates. In addition to physical chemistry, also have practical and theoretical experience of various instrumental classes. Finally, my combined degree was put to use by the University having me demonstrate in the undergraduate physics laboratory.