Name: Dr Katy Wood
Job: Instrument scientist
Describe a typical day in your job:
That’s difficult - one of the things I love about my job is that it
varies greatly from day to day. I’m one of a team that manages a
neutron scattering instrument for research. The instrument is
unique in Australia, and people come from all over the country,
and even all over the world, to measure the structure of samples
from all sorts of scientific disciplines. I work with technical staff
to make sure our 40m long instrument is in good shape,
collaborate with the external users when they come to do measurements, and direct some of my own
scientific research. I’m sometimes in the laboratory preparing samples, behind a computer analysing data or
writing papers… The job certainly involves a lot of people skills as well as scientific know-how.
How does your work impact on the community?
The instrument I run is used by scientists in very diverse fields, both industrial and university based. A whole
range of problems can be studied: how particles are distributed in paints, how detergents can be made more
effective, how food is digested… I specialise in looking at the interactions of biological molecules, which are
often related to human health and disease.
When and how did you become interested in science?
I liked science at school, and ended up studying physics at university without a specific career in mind. It
wasn’t until I did an internship in my final undergraduate year that I saw I could make a career as a researcher.
The opportunities with a science degree are a lot more diverse than what you might think as a high school
student. Although I studied physics, I collaborate extensively with chemists and biologists to look at problems
of biological relevance.
Have you had the opportunity to travel for your job?
I chose to leave Australia after finishing year 12 to complete all my university education in France. I ended up
staying there to do a PhD, and then worked in the Netherlands. Since joining ANSTO, I continue to travel fairly
regularly, both to perform experiments I can’t currently do here and to attend conferences.
Describe an amazing experience you’ve had as part of your work:
I get to meet amazing people in my job. At conferences, someone will give a talk where I’m just left thinking
‘wow…’, or I’ll get to meet someone whose papers I’ve read and admired. Often people that have done
impressive science are very modest and down to earth, which I find humbling.
Do you have advice for high school students wanting a job like yours?
For me, travelling and living overseas was an important part of becoming a scientist. No one should feel bound
by rules though - there are a lot of examples of people who have had ‘non-traditional’ paths to their jobs:
people who have gone on to do PhDs after they’ve already been in the workforce for a while, people who have
built up very successful careers without ever living overseas etc… The most important thing is to be in a field
you personally find fascinating.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
After living in colder climates, I’m happy to enjoy outdoor sports back in Australia – at the moment I’m cycling,
rowing and hiking. I also like learning languages, travelling, playing nerdy board games and going to the
theatre.