Printed Circuit Board Designer
Mechanical Workshop Technician
Introduction to careers in space research
Careers in computing and administration
Sources of further information
Name: Phil Thomas
Job title: Electronics Design Engineer (Experimental Officer at UCL)
Phil testing the Solar-B camera electronics
What education and qualifications do you have?
B.Sc. Honours 2.1 in Electronic Engineering, Southampton University 1970-73, C.Eng. (Chartered Engineer), M.I.E.E. (Member of Institution of Electrical Engineers)
Give an outline of your career so far
In chronological order:
4 years Volunteer worker in Christian organisation;
4 years Electronics Design Engineer, 3 companies;
7 years Electronics Sales Engineer, Hewlett Packard Ltd;
2 years Lecturer in Electronics, Crawley College of Technology;
13 years Design Engineer and Lecturer in Spacecraft Systems at MSSL.
Why did you choose this career path?
Practical interest in electronics and music as a teenager, new technology opportunities and financial incentives.
What does your current work involve?
Since 1989 I have worked as an electronics engineer in the Electronic Engineering group of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), Department of Space and Climate Physics, University College London. I also teach the third year course PHYS3C64 Space Systems Technology as part of the third year Physics with Space Science BSc and MSci degrees at UCL. My specialisations include the design of high speed analogue and digital electronics for detectors and CCD cameras suitable for space-borne imagers and spectrometers.
Hobbies and interests outside work
Sailing - dinghies and yachting; music - guitar and leading a Christian worship band; mission and aid work in UK and overseas.