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Dr Stephen Jenkins - Managing Director and Surface Analysis Expert

I have a Degree (Hons) in Materials Technology which included working for Duracell and GKN and PhD involving development of XPS instrumentation to understand a paint / substrate interfacial system. After a short contract at NPL working for Martin Seah, I joined VG Scientific (XPS and AES instrument manufacturer) as an Applications Scientist. I then moved on to work as a Surface Analysis specialist in the Physical Failure Analysis department of Siemens Microelectronics (DRAM semiconductor wafer manufacturing) and then finally to Philips Blackburn (thermionic cathode manufacturer) as a development engineer. Here I have brought in a whole range of surface analysis instrumentation to solve materials and production problems in cathodes, customers factories and outside the organisation for completely different types of product. I moved into a cathode R&D role and continued to gain experience in project management and project leadership before I became responsible for the management of the laboratory’s 3rd party sales activities. Successful business growth lead to me managing the laboratory as a whole, looking after both internal and external business.

I have over 15 years experience in a large range of industries, the use of problem solving, product and process development, project management, decision making tools and have traveled widely on business over my working career.

I am the Laboratory Technical and Business Manager handling all manner of commercial, budgetary, sales and marketing activities. My responsibilities for LPD Lab Services include handling the first contact with customers, evaluating their requirements and issue of quotations. I organise the lab’s response and also project manage larger customer support activities including product and process research and development. I am also the technical surface analysis expert.

Mike Ellicott CChem MRSC - Senior Applications Scientist - Laboratory Quality Manager

I gained a very practical degree (GRSC Part II) in Chemistry at Preston Polytechnic, and have held the professional qualification of Chartered Chemist (C.Chem) and Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) since 1991.

My industrial experience has been gained over 20 years at companies such as ICI, Chorley ROF (MQAD), BTP Cocker Chemicals, Whitbread, MITRE Sci-Tech Services, Wolstenholme International and finally LPD Laboratory Services. I have also studied for a Certificate in Industrial Management at Preston Polytechnic, and gained the Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Brewing.

The roles I have taken on are as diverse as Laboratory Technician, Research Chemist, Pilot Brewery Scientist, Process Development Scientist, Packaging Development Engineer, Project Leader - Chemist, and Senior Applications Scientist.

My problem solving skills have developed by traditional approaches & by novel Synetics methodology. I am a proven inventor, having one patent for a dissolved nitrogen analyzer under my belt.

I am now part of a very experienced team at LPD Laboratory Services, mainly working in a customer facing role as a Senior Applications Scientist dedicated to giving our customers cost effective solutions to their problems, on-time and within budget. My responsibilities within LPD Lab Services also include acting as the Laboratory Quality Manager looking after UKAS accreditation as well as customer liaison and quotation preparation.

Keith Raper - Senior Scientist - SEM, EDX and XRF Expert

I graduated from Liverpool University in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry with Metallurgy and Materials Science, before working as a research assistant at the University studying the effects of high temperature corrosion on corrosion resistant coatings on nickel based super-alloy materials, developing a knowledge of electron microscopy and microprobe analysis.

I joined Philips Components (formerly Mullards) in 1984 as an analyst in the laboratory, but soon took over responsibility for production problem solving work using the electron microscope, EDX and X-ray Fluorescence analysis.

I developed expertise on problems associated with a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes, since the factory produced several different products, including thermionic cathodes for TV tubes, CD's and video discs (including a full master and stamper making facility), spiralised tungsten and molybdenum wire (with production from ore to finished product), glass delay lines, flat foil capacitors, write-once recordable laser discs and fibre optic coupling devices.

In addition to this, I have undertaken problem solving and analysis work for other UK, European, American and Far East factories in the organisation, manufacturing glass screens, metal masks, TV tubes, magnetic deflection cores and rare-earth magnets, as well as for several local companies manufacturing a range of metal products and components, printed circuit boards, powder chemicals etc.

My role in LPD Lab Services is that of SEM, EDX, Optical Microscopy, Image Analysis and XRF expert, and I am frequently asked to join both local and international teams set up to investigate manufacturing problems.

Alan Wicks - Senior Chemist and Analyst - FTIR, GC, HPLC, AAS, Analysis Development. - Health Safety and Environment Consultant

I Graduated from Salford university in 1978 with a BSc(Hons) in applied chemistry, specialising in Analytical chemistry in the fourth year. I have been a member of the Philips analytical laboratory since November 1978, when a wide range of manufacturing units were present on the Blackburn site. I have experience in many fields, including plating, etching, plastics, metals and metallurgy, photo curing lacquers, organic analysis, health safety and environmental analysis. I act as hazardous materials adviser, environmental adviser, am a trained COSHH assessor and act as noise and radiation adviser. I have experience of the applications of all the analytical equipment on site and its application to new and novel analysis methods. I am an adviser on chemical processing and the development of new or alternative chemical processes.

Susan Beardwood - Analytical Chemist

I commenced working for the site (formerly Mullard) direct from school (1978). Qualified to HNC level, through apprenticeship/day release study program. I have a broad and varied practical knowledge, and experience in both wet chemical techniques and analytical instrumentation. Some of which include, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography.

In addition to my HNC I have also completed an Open University degree (June 2000).

Dr Howard Coulson - Senior Applications Scientist

I have a Degree (Hons) in Pure and Applied Physics, and progressed onto an industrial PhD involving the characterisation of deep levels in microwave devices and the device noise from Philips Power Semiconductors. I began work for Siemens Microelectronics as a Physical Failure Analysis Engineer, to determine the failure location, reverse engineer, and analyse defects created during and after processing. I then moved on to be a development engineer for Philips Power Semiconductors, developing a novel power schottky device in the manufacturing area. This allowed an insight into the demands and requirements of manufacturing and the need to develop new products. I then returned to Failure Analysis with ATMEL, a smartcard and microcontroller manufacturer as a Principal Engineer. This experience has allowed me to use a varied suite of techniques and provide customer support to process, product, development, yield and quality assurance departments.

I have 9 years experience in the semiconductor industry using a variety of techniques in a fast turnaround, results based industry. I have experience of statistical process control, project management, developing local networks for business enhancement, and managing a department. I am currently undertaking an MBA with the Open University.

I am part of an experienced team as a Senior Applications Scientist, complementing the team with my extensive use of SEM, EDX, FIB, wet and dry etching. My responsibilities within LPD Lab Services include acting as the, customer liaison, quotation preparation and project management. I am also responsible for analysis using SEM and other techniques within the group.

Victoria Calder - Analytical Applications Scientist

I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science.  My dissertation was practical and analytically based using GCMS and LCMS for the analysis of amphetamines.

I started working for LPD  Lab Services in August 2008 on a graduate placement and am now a permanent member of staff as a laboratory analytical applications scientist.  My role is to provide laboratory analytical support to third party customers and to wider the Blackburn MicroTech Solutions manufacturing site.  I also meet and discuss technical issues with third party customers and assist in the laboratory's sales, marketing and technical activities.  I am also a current member of the UK Surface Analysis Forum (UKSAF).