- C206, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 586776
- natalie.sobey@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Mrs Natalie Sobey
Faculty Clinical Skills Technical Manager
Faculty of Health
Biography
Biography
My technical career started in 2002 at the age of 19. From school I was always interested in science. After finishing my A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics I decided to take a year out and this was where my first technical role started. I worked as a science technician at my secondary school to cover someone on maternity leave. After the year was up, I went on to do an Analytical Chemistry degree at Plymouth University. Following my degree, I worked at Mast Carbon as an Analytical Chemist, where I ran my own lab. They specialised in activated carbon cloth, beads, powder and rods. After a few years I then moved onto a new technical role at Plymouth Marine Laboratories.
In 2009, I saw an opportunity to be a technical assistant for the Peninsula Dental School at Plymouth University. I must admit I knew nothing about dentistry but I had transferable skills. I had a lot to learn but straight away I knew they would benefit from my organisation skills and attention to detail. I worked within their phantom head room where the students practice before treating patients.
Fast forward almost 13 years, I am now the Faculty Clinical Skills Technical Manager for the Faculty of Health at Plymouth University. I oversee all clinical skills for Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro. I manage a team of 12 technicians across three sites. I really enjoy my job and love the people I work with. In 2021 I was lucky enough to win a Papin Prize for my Contribution to Teaching and completed the inaugural Herschel Programme – for females in Technical Leadership in July 2022.
Qualifications
- BSc (HONS) in Analytical Chemistry (2006)
- First Aider
- IOSH Managing Safely 2022
- Winner of Papin Prize for Contribution to Teaching 2021
- Completed the inaugural Herschel Programme – for females in Technical Leadership 2022
- Runner up for the National Technicians Development Centre (NTDC) Annual Photo Competition 2022.