Meet Simon Nelms, ICP-MS Project Manager here at Isotopx.
We recently caught up with Simon and found out a little bit more about his life inside and outside of work.
What does a typical day/ week in your role look like?
A typical day in my job starts with a daily review of the status of the various projects we’re working on with confirmation of the actions to be carried out that day. There are usually a couple of deeper dive meetings to align everyone on the team on project priorities and any corrective actions. I also spend a lot of time working directly on R and D with my colleagues in the Development labs, which is a really interesting and enjoyable part of my work.
What has been your journey to get you to where you are now?
I started my career as an ICP-MS applications specialist back in 1996, working at the main instrument factory in Cheshire, UK. In 2006 I had the chance to move into a technical sales support role, working with ICP-OES and ICP-MS customers in the UK and Ireland. From that role, I moved into EMEA Regional Marketing in 2014 before holding positions in Product Marketing and Industrial Vertical Marketing up until 2024. Joining Isotopx in September 2024 has brought me back to my roots in R and D and applications development in an instrument production environment.
What have you enjoyed the most working at Isotopx?
I’d say that what I enjoy most about working at Isotopx is being able to connect every day with such a friendly, enthusiastic, and close-knit group of co-workers. It’s really rewarding to be able to learn from colleagues that have technical knowledge deeper than my own, and to be able to use my experience in project planning and management to help us successively drive innovation and bring new products to market.
What do you do in your spare time? / Where would we find you on the weekend?
I enjoy walking, playing chess, going on ale trails, nights out, and trying to improve my (mediocre!) language skills with Duolingo. On a weekend, you’ll most likely find me away exploring somewhere new, or at a gig or show with my partner and/or friends.
What was your first ever job?
As I mentioned above, my first (proper) job straight out of university was as an ICP-MS applications specialist, working for the company that sponsored my Ph.D. studies. This job gave me the chance to travel globally and learn a great deal from a wide range of experienced analytical scientists and engineers.
Top 5 movies
I’m a bit of a sci-fi geek, so my top 5 films include things like Star Trek (Generations and First Contact are personal favourites), Blade Runner, and Contact. I’m also not ashamed to admit that I like animated films like Rango, Inside Out and Monsters Inc. too.
