As Electronic Support Section Leader, Jamie Nutter is in charge of the electronics that enable experiments to take place in different environments. Carefully controlling the conditions that a sample is observed in is fundamental to research conducted at ISIS, and if it has wires, it is within Jamie's remit. He also leads the automation of experiments – including the implementation of hardware for remote experimentation, and motion control, which is playing an increasingly important role at ISIS.
Many researchers who come to ISIS have planned their experiments for years, and Jamie ensures their opportunity to use the ISIS beamline is a success. He and his team don't know exactly what a scientist needs until they walk in the door – so they have to respond quickly to challenges and collaborate closely with scientists to get the right results.
“It's incredibly satisfying to set up a complex experiment for our world-leading scientists and see how we've helped deliver a successful set of results." – Jamie Nutter, Electrical Support Section Leader.
Jamie joined ISIS as an apprentice in 2008, achieved an NVQ Level 3 and then went onto complete an undergraduate degree, which was funded by the facility. He has since worked his way up through the Electronic Support Section since 2011.
ISIS invests in the development of its technicians and engineers through ample training and support, so technical staff can progress quickly within the organisation, and continue to find new motivation and inspiration. As part his role at ISIS, Jamie has been a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), benefiting from their wide range of training courses to keep up with the latest skills and requirements, and is looking to become a chartered engineer (CEng) this year. His experience in every position in his team has also proven invaluable in his current position as leader.
Jamie Nutter has also put his skills to the test in the Covid-19 response. As part of the Penlon Ventilator Challenge, his team tested and verified ventilators to ensure they perform well. As part of this work, Jamie volunteered to teach the wider STFC staff as well as Renault Formula 1 engineers located nearby how to test ventilators ahead of a large push to get the machines into hospitals.
