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Gavin Irvine
  • Friday Feature
  • SIde Hustle

Interview with Gavin Irvine

  • June 28, 2019
  • 2 minute read
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PhD Student at Queen’s University Belfast

What is your PhD about?

I am doing a PhD centered in chemistry and I am based in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast. My PhD is focused on making biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery. I basically make polymers, which can form into nanoparticles that transport drugs like doxorubicin (an anti-cancer drug) throughout the body.

Tell us about yourself

I am 25 years old and I’m originally from a small town in Northern Ireland called Carrickfergus. I currently live with my girlfriend in Belfast. I went to the University of St Andrews in Scotland to study for a Masters degree in Medicinal Chemistry before returning to Northern Ireland to start my PhD. During my Master’s degree, I went on a year in industry for Reckitt Benckiser working on the Nurofen range of products. I am an avid runner too and manage to find time for marathons in between my studies. I have just completed my 17th marathon in Barcelona and I’m aiming to complete a 100-mile race in August 2019. I also play Bridge in my spare time and have represented Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland at international level.

What is your side hustle?

I tutor GCSE and A level students in Chemistry (they are high school students) and earn extra money by demonstrating in undergraduate labs. I initially started off charging £11 an hour when I started my PhD and now earn £30 an hour after receiving good reviews and increasing my tutoring experience. Some kids can be a challenge but when you are only with them an hour or two a week you can get through it.

Why did you start your side hustle?

I started tutoring because the stipend given to us isn’t sufficient to continue the lifestyle I had. I don’t drive and try to be frugal on expenses so that I can save around £500 per month and have a deposit for a mortgage set up by the end of my PhD. Tutoring is also a great experience if you want to continue in academia as it gives you teaching experience. I am fairly sure I will move into industry upon the completion of my PhD but it’s great to have the option and experience in the bank.

Find out more about Gavin on Instagram @chemrunner

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About

Welcome! I’m Melanie, the founder of The Leveraged PhD.

My goal with this blog and my courses is to give you the resources and confidence to use your PhD to its full potential, whatever that path may be.

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    • October 21, 2019
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