Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Queensland,

Brisbane, QLD 4072 

(l.zheng@minmet.uq.edu.au)

How to be a good University Research Technician?

Li Zheng

 Co-operative Research Centre for Cast Metals

Manufacturing (CAST)

Career

Career life

Fully and correctly understand the requirements of the project task

Wide knowledge and fundamental understanding of the research field

Professional laboratory skills and problem solving capabilities

A strict and honest attitude and ethical behaviour

Update and renew the knowledge and skills

Outline

  1. To fully and correctly understand the requirements of the project task from the chief researchers.

This is the primary important condition in order to provide quality technical support to the research field. Otherwise it can result in a different result, which could cause significant problems.

 

Microprobe

 2. It is necessary to have basic

knowledge to understand the fundamental theories and physical principles in the research field.

Before doing anything, make sure that you know why, and how to do it.

Therefore it is necessary to be deeply involved in the project.

 

Grainsize measurement

Heat Treatment Wheels

 3. Must have professional laboratory

skills and substantial practical operational capabilities. Be able to analyse and solve problems independently. To be able to run reliable testing facilities & to contribute to the results of research projects. This is the mission of the research technicians. We make our professional mission by our efficient work and contribution.

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TEM

 

SEM

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TEM sample preparation

 

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Quantitative Image Analysis-I

 

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Quantitative Image Analysis-II

Metallographic sample preparation

 

Foundry & Casting

4. A strict and honest attitude and ethical behavior, which includes respecting the truth, recording and collecting data precisely and honestly; rectifying the mistakes immediately & not to overstate our achievements.

Responsibility for delivering results that have been obtained with all care and checked repeatedly.These aspects of ethical behaviour should also become our personal character to make sure the results from us are believable and accurate.

Bolt Load Retention testing

Spectrometer spark analysis

5. Over the last two decades information technology, science and digital techniques have developed dramatically. We are now in a great new era of information. We must update and renew the knowledge and skills, including latest research methods & tools. To avoid being eliminated by selection, & to catch up with the latest steps, we need to update and renew our knowledge and skills all the time. The only way to do this is by continuously studying and training.

Digital Camera Microscope

A university research technician is a general staff position.

We are all normal people.

But normal people in general staff positions can still perform outstanding masterworks.

Summary

Thank you for your time!