Profile
Calum Cunningham
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About Me:
I’m a nuclear materials scientist living with my partner in Abingdon (near Oxford). I enjoy sports and exercise, especially rugby and running, but I also love sitting at home on my PlayStation or reading a good book!
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I was born and raised in Luton, Bedfordshire, where I went to a normal state school which had a pretty bad reputation. I really enjoyed school though and I worked hard to get top grades and ended up at the University of Oxford, studying Materials Science. I graduated in 2021 and now I’m working for the National Nuclear Laboratory where I research materials for nuclear power (not weapons!)
Outside of work, I like a bit of everything really! I’m focused on staying fit so I like to be outdoors running, hiking or playing rugby. I played a lot of rugby and basketball in school and university, but since then I’ve relaxed my commitments and just like to play sport socially with my friends. If I’m not out and about, then I do love a bit of Playstation (but my girlfriend doesn’t!) or just watching movies and TV series. I’m also a massive foodie, so I spend a fair bit of my time cooking and eating – nothing makes me happier than great food!
Another one of my passions in travelling. I’ve been lucky enough to have visited some amazing places like China, Vietnam, Canada and Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). There’s so many more places I want to explore and I’m always looking forward to the next adventure!
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My pronouns are:
He/him
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My Work:
I’m a Materials Scientist at the National Nuclear Laboratory. We develop and test new materials for nuclear power plants, and make sure that the current ones are safe.
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Materials Science is the study of engineering materials. When I say engineering materials, I mean things like steel, concrete, titanium, aluminium, wood, plastic, rubber and lots more. Think of all the things you use every day and what they are made of – like your house, car, phone, shoes… anything! It’s all made from one or more materials. So using the best materials is really important!
I work on materials that have applications in nuclear energy. A nuclear power plant is enormous and made up of lots of parts, all made from different materials. Things like steel, concrete, nickel alloys and zirconium alloys are all really important parts of my job (a lot of different metals, basically). I research things like how strong they are, what temperatures they melt at, when they are going to rust and fall apart, etc. Most importantly, the materials need to stay strong and do their job so that they are safe.
At the National Nuclear Laboratory, we’re also trying to develop new and improved materials to use in the future. Nuclear power is really important because it doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases and so it can help us combat global warming and climate change!
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My Typical Day:
I start work at around 8am. I usually work from home 3 days a week and then I’ll cycle into the office the other 2 days. Most of my work is done on the computer, and I have meetings and discussions with fellow scientists. Sometimes, I need to travel for a meeting, a conference, or to carry out an experiment in the lab. Normally, I finish work around 5pm.
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I wake up and have some breakfast (I never miss breakfast) then I’m ready to start work at 8am. Sometimes I’m working from home, and some days I’ll cycle into the office. It’s about 20 minutes on the bike for me.
Most of my work is on the computer and involves things like analysing experimental data, reading scientific papers and reports, writing reports, having meetings with other scientists and computer modelling. Some days I’ll be doing lab experiments instead – much more fun! The experiments involve testing materials and looking inside them with microscopes to figure out why they behave the way they do. Some experiments require you to travel to special facilities and can last several days. Recently, I was involved in a 24 hour experiment at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron (a big particle accelerator).
I usually finish around 5pm and then I’m free to do whatever I like!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d use the money as prize money again to run a competition for students around the country to come up with their best ideas for the future of nuclear power. I hope that this would get more pupils interested in the nuclear sector and help them realise the importance of nuclear power in beating climate change.
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Education:
Lea Manor High School, Luton
Luton Sixth Form College, Luton
University of Oxford
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Qualifications:
11 GCSEs inc. Maths and English
A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics
Degree: MEng (Master of Engineering) in Materials Science
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Work History:
Sales Assistant, Sainsbury’s
- I worked at Sainsbury’s part-time during Sixth Form and then returned during University breaks. I worked on the check-outs, then the counters, then the cafe.
- This job taught me good communication skills, how to deal with stressful situations, and how to manage my time better.
Summer intern, Selex ES (now Leonardo)
- I done a 6-week summer internship at this engineering company who specialise in Defence and Space.
- Good introduction to the working world of a STEM company.
Graduate Materials Scientist, National Nuclear Laboratory
- 2-year graduate scheme after I finished university.
- Involved specialised training and learning on the job. I had to learn a lot about nuclear fission and nuclear materials!
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Current Job:
Materials Scientist – irradiated materials
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Employer:
National Nuclear Laboratory
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Ambitious materials scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
An engineer
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes a little bit, but I always got away with it!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
An astronaut!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Weeknd
What's your favourite food?
Too difficult - I love all good food equally!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
For myself... My dream house; unlimited carbon-free travel; good health forever.
Tell us a joke.
There are two goldfish in a tank. Who's driving?
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