NMR lab life full of variety and challenge

One of the good things about working at Scion, research chemist Dr Hayden Thomas says, is the variety his role offers.

Hayden runs the Crown Research Institute’s Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) suite, which supports scientific research and companies wanting to analyse bio-based product and plant material samples. He spends his days in Scion’s recently upgraded NMR lab, running samples and analysing results for research and for commercial contracts.

NMR technology is like MRI machines, only it looks at the structure of molecules rather than of people. The upgrade has enabled Scion to ramp up the commercial side of its NMR work. Hayden is now focused on applying NMR to as many projects as possible to expand Scion’s offering and establishing relationships with other organisations – such as Fonterra – to update them on the organisation’s new capability.

This work can be challenging, Hayden says, as while research can be planned, the team can’t always control when commercial samples arrive. The NMR technology runs round the clock, though; some samples, such as complex mixtures and large compounds, take longer than others to analyse so Hayden sets them to run overnight.

Background

Hayden always wanted to be a scientist, particularly in a role with an R&D focus. He grew up in Thames but moved to Hamilton in 2011 to attend Waikato University. Finding himself on a campus with an estimated 10,000 people was a shock,” he says. “One of my classes was the same size as my whole high school.”

After finishing his Bachelor of Science (with honours), Hayden began a PhD in organometallic chemistry. “I basically spent my whole PhD in an NMR room, so working in one now is weirdly comforting.”

Part of his role is diagnosing problems with running samples when they happen – which they do sometimes – and he’s so used to Scion’s lab that he says he can tell if there’s a problem as soon as he walks into the room.

Hayden was awarded his doctorate in 2020 and went to work for Ruminant BioTech. He then moved to an advanced technical officer role at Waikato University, where he ran the NMR facility, supported students and worked with other instruments.

Hayden joined Rotorua-based Scion in mid-2023 but is back in Hamilton about every second weekend, visiting partner Ingrid. They met at university, she’s doing a PhD at Plant and Food Research and they make things work despite the distance. “She’s a keen mountain biker so enjoys coming over here,” he says. “I’m not a biker but she tricks me into it sometimes.”

He is, however, into stream and rock fishing, but only for food and fun. He’s not competitive. “I generally don’t keep the fish,” he says. “If I have to measure a fish because it might be too small, it goes back in.”

He and Ingrid hike and camp often, fishing in streams along the way. Preferably in quiet spots. “I know of a few spots where there’s usually no one else fishing,” he says.

On his career

What advice would he offer to someone looking at getting into the same field? Take every opportunity to learn. “Even if it doesn’t seem like it’ll be useful immediately. While I was doing my PhD I spent time mucking around with old instruments and problem solving in a way doctorate students now may not get to. As a result I can see a problem and know what to do straight away rather than having to seek support.”

I’ve never said no to learning opportunities.”

He also advises anyone considering doing a PhD to ensure they love their subject – because they’ll think of little else for 3-4 years. “It’s a lot of hard work.”

Looking back at his career to date, Hayden says it’s tough to name his biggest highlight, though he thinks it’s probably completing his PhD. “I’m also proud of the work I’ve been doing at Scion.”

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