Susanne explains that a research engineer works closely with research. She has worked on behalf of many research leaders and groups in various research projects. She has analysed large amounts of data and samples, acted as a sounding board and discussion partner, and been responsible for lab and safety equipment. Her role has now shifted to being more administrative.
"We research engineers work to ensure that all laws and regulations surrounding lab operations are followed, that we, for example, have our permits in place, but also that we have the equipment we need and that it functions properly," says Susanne.
The path into the research world and then Tema Vatten (now Environmental Change) came in conjunction with the fourth year of Susanne's chemistry education when she was to complete her thesis. The plan was to pursue a Ph.D., and her studies in chemistry took off in the early 1990s, but life intervened, and the plans had to change to a licentiate degree instead. After graduation, she continued in her position as a research engineer, which has lasted for 32 years now.
Nose as detector and a “hallelujah moment”
"My years at TEMA have given me memories for life. I have been on sampling trips to China and New Zealand, and I have collected snow samples on a snowmobile in Arctic Canada. My nose was used as a detector in a project when we analysed smell and taste in drinking water. On one occasion here in Linköping, we identified foul-smelling fatty acids as the cause of the unpleasant odor and taste of drinking water, making it undrinkable. The compounds formed through growth in the treatment process when the raw water increased too quickly. Imagine that my nose has contributed to research advancements," exclaims Susanne.
Another "hallelujah moment" occurred in a project demonstrated that chlorinated organic compounds are formed naturally in nature. Previously, it was believed that they only came from industrial processes or human activities.
"Today, the human nose as a detector has been replaced by more sophisticated equipment like electronic sensors and advanced analytical instruments. Working in a research environment is to feel the drive forward. It is an exciting environment to be in," says Susanne.
Briefly about the research engineers in the lab at Environmental Change
Number: 6
International environment: The research engineers come from, in addition to Sweden, India, Slovenia, and Vietnam
Education: Various, but cover subjects such as electronics, data, mathematics, microbiology, biogeochemistry, organic and inorganic analytical chemistry
Focus in the lab: Applied environmental research
