Jack Stubbs
PIPS Host Organisation: Douglas Instruments (CASE Partner)
Project Title: Matching Technical Solutions to Scientists’ Requirements

Whilst at Douglas Instruments, Jack Stubbs spent 75% of his time focused on research and development, particularly optimizing experimental workflows for controlling crystal size and scaling up sample volume in the context of serial data collection, MicroED, and neutron diffraction. This included generating the necessary hardware and scripts for such specialized applications. The remaining 25% of his time was dedicated to market research, identifying potential laboratories that required specialist crystallization equipment for membrane protein and serial crystallography research, preparing sales literature, assisting in the modernization of the company website, and creating engaging scientific content for the company’s social media accounts.

During the placement, Jack accompanied the company directors to several structural biology conferences in the UK. Additionally, he attended the 17th International Conference of the Asian Crystallographic Association in Jeju, South Korea, on behalf of the company. Jack became proficient in operating the Douglas Automatic Protein Crystallisation Systems and enhanced his fundamental knowledge of protein crystallization through time spent with his PIPS mentor, an expert in the field. He will now be able to use the Douglas Oryx8 robot at the Southampton Crystallisation Facility to its full extent, directly enriching his research.

Jack now feels confident in effectively communicating his scientific knowledge, having attended prolific conferences as an exhibitor and worked within a company setting that included colleagues who were non-specialists. Furthermore, the placement highlighted the importance of quality control and customer service in manufacturing and effectively trading specialist scientific equipment. Jack is most proud of attending an international conference and effectively managing the exhibition stand for the company by himself, resulting in several expressions of interest from laboratories in the field that attended the meeting.

Jack enjoying a social with colleagues at Douglas Instruments