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Simon Watson

    • About Me:

      I live in Southampton, with my wife and son. I work for ExxonMobil as a technical lead of a team of scientists and engineers. Outside of work I like to snowboard, sail, play hockey and hike in the new forest. I also like motorsport and looking after my old landrover.

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • How I use Science in my work:

      I apply Chemistry and Engineering every day in my work. I take problem solving into account every day to fix problems on the petrochemical plant to keep it running safety and smoothly

    • My Work:

      I work in the world of manufacturing, making products that we use every day, so its about making more of them ready for customers. I look after a team of people that support the day to day running of the factory, every day of the year.

    • Read more

      I work in the chemical plant at a big refinery. We take a feedstock of cheap hydrocarbons and upgrade them into chemicals that go into making plastic flexible. We also make odorless solvents, like in your shampoo!

    • My Typical Day:

      I try to be in the office by 9am, I do not like mornings! I then catch up with the team, help them where they need some support and look at what my day has. I spend a lot of time in meetings, looking at projects, safety and reliability of the unit. After lunch I spend some more time thinking about what we are doing and preparing for the next day!

    • Read more

      Every day has a variety of what it could entail in it. I work with a few people in Malaysia, so in the morning its their afternoon. I try to spend some time working with them, looking at long term trends of the unit, making sure that if there are any things that are showing signs they are breaking we can start making a plan to resolve. I catch up with my team every day in the morning to see what the problems of the day are and point them in the right direction for things to help them. After lunch I spend time looking at improvements for the process, where we can do better, meeting with management to get money to spend on projects etc. I then catch up with my team to help them resolve the difficult problems if they’ve not worked it out, or work out how we can resolve that tomorrow!

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I’d spend it on getting more younger people into STEM, and taking experiments into schools.

    CV

    • Education:

      Started really taking science seriously at School, being aware that I wanted a career, it wasn’t going to be easy. GCSEs in all sciences, maths + statistics, then taking all three sciences and Maths to AS level, dropping physics as wanted to move more into chemistry for second year of A level . Chemistry degree then further to a Ph.D.

    • Qualifications:

      GCSEs, including all sciences, Maths and English

      A levels Chemistry, Biology and Maths, (AS in geography and Physics)

      BSc in Chemistry

      Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering + Polymer Chemistry

    • Work History:

      Started off in the lab as an analytical chemist, working in quality control, ensuring equipment is working as needed and reading correctly. Spent as much time as possible working out how to do new test methods, better instrumentation, and learn the process outside so that what we were analyzing made more sense.

      Became the Lab Supervisor, leading a team of Chemists, their development and the 5 year plan for the lab.

      Did a broadening role, became a Production Scheduler, lots of logistics and ships! Working out how much to make, when to make it, what feed to get, and how to move it to the customers.

    • Current Job:

      I am now a Technical lead for Higher Olefins and Isopar, also known as a manufacturing engineer. I lead a team of scientists and engineers working on one of the operating units, making a variety of products. I also get involved in a variety of safety opportunities,  mentoring the extended team around me, leading trials and debottlenecking the unit

    • Employer:

      ExxonMobil at Fawley

      We are the UK’s largest integrated petrochemical complex, producing a range of energy products, lubricants and chemicals that are vital to our everyday lives. Opened by Prime Minister Clement Atlee in September 1951, the complex covers 3,250 acres and provides employment for 2,500 valued staff and contractors. This includes skilled engineers, technicians, maintenance and support staff, almost 99% of whom live within 30 minutes of the site. Generations of the same families have worked at the complex over the years and this gives the workforce a real sense of community.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Chemist/Mechanical Engineer/Chemical Engineer hybrid

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        A chemist

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Maaaaybe

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Snowboard instructor in the winter, sailing in the summer.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Airbourne

        What's your favourite food?

        Lasagna

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Buy all the cool cars I want. Peace and collaboration across all borders. Money for Human development and good for mankind (part of the enjoyment is the discovery, not being given it!)

Questions answered by Simon

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