Claire Bain

"I think the personality types match me very well. As a trainer I am involved in training and guiding various different people at different stages in their careers and as a rule I have to be able to adjust how I deliver training dependent on the trainee and how they like to learn and work. I have to be a good listener and I love to see how people develop and grow as they learn different skills. I like to work with people but I can also happily take on project myself and run with them. I love to learn new skills myself and love it when others enjoy it too and I always like to improve things if it is required."

"The main things that I do are train and develop other members of staff. As a trainer I train various levels - members of the lab team as well as Study Directors (Scientists) who are in charge of client studies. As a Scientist in the team myself I also support various ongoing client projects. The thing I enjoy most about my job is seeing people grow and develop and get excited about the skills and expertise they are learning. Starting salary for my role depends on experience but as a trainer is around £26k."

"My own route has been within the same company for many years although this is not necessary. I started straight from University as an entry level Technician as we were known then (Associate Scientist). I was then promoted to Technician level 2 then 3 and then Senior Associate Scientist within the laboratory and then on to Responsible Scientist taking on responsibility for client studies and projects. I was then promoted to the Departmental Trainer position I am now in, ensuring that everyone in the team is getting the training that they require. All of those around me inspire me. I have always wanted to work within a Scientific environment from a young age and my friends/ family and colleagues all inspire me."

"In my spare time I dance - I have danced from a very young age (3) and perform in shows in all kinds of dance including tap, modern, jazz, baton, lyrical. I love to read - anything and everything. I love ski-ing. I have two young children and love spending spare time with them watching and learning from them all the time. I love to work with young children and teenagers and do this through my work's SPARK initiative."

"A typical day involves checking my e-mails as soon as I start work to see if anything needs addressed straight away.Daily department meetingI head to the lab to train the staff members on whatever new techniques/assays/skills are scheduled.I work on any ongoing client projects that I am involved in - currently qualification of a new cell bank to allow a client project for vaccine testing to continue.I write training modules."

"I have 6 highers (English, Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Computing and Biology) and 2 CSYS (Advanced Highers) Chemistry and Maths.I hold a BSc (Hons) Degree in Neuroscience from The University of Edinburgh.I have worked within my company Merck BioReliance Services for 14 and a half years after having travelled for a year after graduation from University. "