John Bowles

John Bowles works for the Department of Earth Sciences as Head of Laboratories. He is also the Departmental Safety Officer and Departmental Estates Manager.

John started out serving a four-year indentured apprenticeship in mechanical engineering at Imperial College of Science & Technology in 1981 while studying for Ordinary and Higher National Diplomas in Mechanical and Production Engineering.

John moved to UCL in 1985 working for Physics & Astronomy developing & manufacturing scientific equipment, specialising in optical equipment.

John then moved to his current department (Earth Sciences) in 1986 and studied part-time for an undergraduate degree, gaining a First Class BSc. Honours in Computer Aided Engineering and worked primarily for the Rock & Ice Physics Laboratory and then supporting other laboratories in the department as the engineering demand expanded as new laboratories were created that required engineering support. John was promoted to Senior Experimental Officer and his work included the design, development and manufacture of unique research experimental equipment that simulated geological conditions at great depth, which involved complex high pressure / high temperature and low temperature equipment, which can achieve pressures of up to 200, 000 P.S.I., and temperatures of up to 1600 degrees C, and down to - 90 degrees C.

John has carried out a number of duties over the years including managing a departmental mechanical workshop and demonstrating on departmental geophysics field trips.

He is now the Head of Laboratories and heads up the technical staff in the department and has been the Departmental Safety Officer for the last 20 years.

John is also the Departmental Estates Manager and one of his most recent challenges was to coordinate the Kathleen Lonsdale Building renovation which was part of the UCL Buildings Masterplan and included relocating, specifying and refitting of Earth Sciences’ analytical Laboratories, teaching areas, research rooms and offices. When this project finished the Kathleen Lonsdale Building was reopened by Sir David Attenborough on 17th April 2018, and John received a runner up BEAMS Professional Services Award in recognition of his contributions to the UCL 2034 enabler ‘Maintaining a sustainable estate to meet our aspirations’ category.

John has maintained his role in the area of his expertise which is mechanical engineering design and development and still provides mechanical engineering support of departmental research projects.