Graham Gilchrist

Professional Summary

Graham is an experienced doctorate graduate with over 4 years experience of web development and programming including (x)HTML, CSS, web graphics, CMS systems and website deployment. He has strong problem-solving and innovating skills and is a quick learner. He has a passion for standards-based design and accessibility, and user-centric design. Seeking a web/new media role in a forward-thinking, innovative and vibrant new media organisation.

Professional Achievements

• Management and extensive code rewrite of custom CMS for major teaching support organisation.
• Creation of bespoke e-learning software to allow non-technical users to create online learning materials with little experience.
• Deployment and customization of open source CMS for multiple teaching support projects.

Skills and Experience:

• HTML, XHTML, CSS hand-coding and wysiwyg editors, Dreamweaver (expert)
• PHP Scripting (advanced)
• Javascript and DOM (advanced)
• Visual Basic, .NET, ASP (advanced)
• MySQL/MSSQL databases (advanced), XML, XSLT (advanced)
• Content Management Systems (advanced)
• Drupal CMS (advanced)
• C, Java (Basic), MATLAB (advanced)
• Photoshop and digital graphics (advanced)
• Premiere and video encoding (advanced)
• Document design and desktop publishing
• Hardware evaluation & assembly (expert)
• Web/database Server setup and maintenance (basic)
• Computer Troubleshooting (expert)
• Windows (expert), Linux (basic), Mac OS X (expert)
• Microsoft Office (expert)
• Report writing skills and fast typing rate
• Numerical analysis and presentation (advanced)
• Oral presentations (advanced)
• French Language (Basic)

Career Experience

Feb 2007 - current time: Web Developer
Subject centre for LLAS, Higher Education Academy

• Maintenance and development of custom VB.NET CMS and web site, instigating a modern code rewrite and utilising XML/XSLT standards based templating. Also, developed and deployed an open source CMS solution to power four additional websites, requiring extensive customization to server side code and HTML templates. Performed extensive HTML,CSS and Javascript work.
• Implemented clean web interface design such that content could be updated by non technical staff easily and with minimal training, and for training staff in technical systems using familiar language.
• Responsible for server setup and maintenance of five websites with a total visitor load of 25,000 unique visitors per month.
• Communicated with management and admin staff to discuss and analyse requirements for content and design. Gave recommendations on interface and usability guidelines. Also gave strategic advice on emerging web technologies suitable to the organization.

2003 - Sep 2006: Web Consultant
School Of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Southampton

• Communicated with clients and discussed and analysed their requirements on content and design. Suggested points to improve and usability guidelines. Arranged regular update meetings to present and get feedback on design and extra features. Ongoing communication and feedback.
• Implemented new undergraduate admissions pages using PHP and HTML with simple CSS styling. Created a more pleasing and easier to read design layout. This work also involved creating custom javascript code to control two web forms linking to CGI scripts, and the creation of bespoke graphics.
• Multiple commissions were received following the success of the first project for four different clients within the department. Some design elements were later incorporated into the main departmental site

Sep 2003 - Sep 2004: Laboratory Tutor
University Of Southampton

• Directly coached a series of students through practical and theoretical demonstrations
• This required communication of key principles and effective team-building adjusted to an appropriate level for the audience along with a friendly and approachable manner.
• Objective assessment and marking of work required analysis of student written work along with effective verbal investigative skills and targeted questioning.

Jun 2002 - Sep 2003: Editor/Graphic Design Assistant
Optoelectronics Research Centre, Univ. of Southampton

• Reported to departmental head of public relations. Many duties including liaising with research staff and producing content for various publications from technical documents.
• Responsible for the design of many documents including departmental signature poster and two annual technical reports of over 160 pages. Edited yearly departmental Christmas cards and monthly newsletters. These tasks required strong desktop publishing and design skills using myriad software including Microsoft Word and Corel Draw.
• During my time here I also revamped and re-designed the centre's poster format and signature poster and liaised with ORC alumni to create a special edition 'Where are they now...' newsletter

Academic Record

2003 - 2006: Doctorate (PhD)
University Of Southampton

Thesis Title: Surface Effects in Liquid Crystal-Polymer Structures

• Research on surface effects in liquid crystal cells. The project was heavily reliant on computer modelling and simulation. This required in-depth mathematical programming and data manipulation. Experience using MATLAB language.
• Key Skills: Working under pressure to deadlines, self-motivation and task planning, working in a team, presentations of 30+ minutes and poster design and presentation.

1999 - 2003: MPhys Physics Masters Degree, Upper Second Class Honours
University Of Southampton

• Including basic electronics, programming, presentation skills and report writing in the form of a 3 month dissertation and a final year project for which I received a first class equivalent grade.
• I also developed strong problem solving skills and the ability to analyse a problem and quickly identify the most efficient way to tackle a task.

1997 - 1999: A-levels;

Computing (A), Physics (B) and Mathematics with Applications (B)
Taunton's College, Southampton, UK

1996 - 1997: GCSE's;

2 A*'s, 1 A, 4 B's and 2 C's.
Received the John Jarrold Prize for Science. Hethersett High School, Norwich, UK

Interests and Activities

President: SUSU Games Society (2003-2004)

Drafted a new society constitution which was subsequently used as the basis for all new university societies. Increased membership by 600%. Was in a management role responsible for directing 4 other people and providing services to over 30 members.

Communications Officer: SUSU Games Society (2003-2004)

Teaching Assistant: SU Junior Maths Summer School (Summers 1998/1999)

Supervision and communication of mathematical concepts to 14-15 year olds.

Hobbies:

Cycling, hiking, photography, films, gaming, personal website