Research and development role for Carrick student Samuel

Queen’s University Belfast student Samuel Scott has been selected to take part in IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience).

The exchange programme sees students from all scientific and technical disciplines undertake work placements across the globe.

Samuel, who is currently in his third year studying for a Masters in Chemical Engineering, will spend a year working for EMPA, a Swiss research institution for applied materials sciences and technology, based in the city of Dübendorf.

The 21-year-old, from Bluefield Park in the town, will be joined by 17 other students from across Northern Ireland in the IAESTE programme.

They will be taking up roles in countries as diverse as South Korea, the Czech Republic and the United States, with the hope of contributing to their future employment prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.

The IAESTE programme is based on academic performance, with candidates nominated on their current grades at university, as well as earlier experience and motivation.

A former pupil at Belfast Royal Academy, Samuel is currently on course to obtaining a 2.1. He said: “The placement is extremely relevant to the career path that I would like to pursue. I’m really excited about working for a company such as EMPA; currently over 60 different nationalities are working there and I’m looking forward to being immersed in a completely new culture and meeting new people.”

“While out there I will be focused on research into material sciences and I think this is a big opportunity to improve my career prospects.

“I think the most challenging aspect of the placement will be the language barrier – I’ve never lived abroad before and only know a little bit of German, but I’m looking forward to developing this and learning more.”