Jack – Graduate Sustainability Officer
What is your role at MRC Harwell?
I’m the MRC Harwell Graduate Sustainability Officer and I deliver on localised sustainability projects, including the enhancement of site biodiversity, leading/co-ordination of the MRC Harwell Green Group, the reduction of single-use plastics, implementation of the LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) programme and improving the efficiency of water use. Day-to-day activities vary from conducting LEAF audits which involves going around the labs and auditing them to see what sustainability initiatives they have in place; to the co-ordination of the Green group which has recently been established and during March of this year we had our first action being undertaken with the raking and wildflower seeding. Since then, the group have also helped to develop a sustainability induction checklist which has now been implemented within the new starter process and conducted a sitewide litter pick.
What is your background? Did you see yourself doing this kind of job when you were younger?
I studied an undergraduate degree in Geography at the University of Worcester, graduating in 2020. I then had a year out due to COVID, where I then decided I wanted to go back into education to study a Master’s degree in Climate Change, at the University of East Anglia. After completing my master’s degree I wished to pursue a career in environmental sustainability which landed me at my current role.
What have you enjoyed most about being on the Graduate Programme?
The MRC Harwell graduate programme has been a thoroughly insightful experience. The flexibility of the programme has allowed me to gain valuable experience and knowledge at this early stage of my career.
I’ve found it particularly useful being in an organisation which is also a part of UKRI to have experience with a range of other research councils. I find that aspect of working at a place like MRC really beneficial because of the networks which exist to collaborate with other councils and share best practice.
What do you want to do next?
In terms of next steps, I see myself continuing my development within the sustainability sector. I think MRC Harwell has been a great place to develop my confidence and talk to a range of stakeholders with a variety of academic and non-academic backgrounds which otherwise I perhaps wouldn’t have done if I had a role elsewhere.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of my role, I enjoy keeping fit through swimming which has been a long passion of mine. I also like to listen to music during my free time and I have a rather unusual fascination of clouds/all things to do with meteorology.
Jack joined the MLC through our Graduate Development Programme. You can find out more about the programme as well as interviews with our other graduates on our Graduate Development Programme page.