Herman Cho, Ph.D.

Herman Cho received his Ph.D. in chemical physics and completed two post-docs before joining Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Twenty-one years later he is at the same institution enjoying “the intellectual stimulation of scientific work, including the day-to-day tasks of problem-solving, building tools and instruments, writing software, data analysis, etc., as well as the deeper, long-term thinking that goes into pondering nature's mysteries.”

Cho’s primary responsibility at PNNL is to conduct independent, grant-funded research; his work focuses on radiochemistry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cho values national ACS meetings “as a vital way to learn what is going on in the field of chemistry and reconnect with colleagues outside my areas of specialization.”

Today, Herman Cho is a Senior Research Scientist at PNNL. This is how he works.

Typical day on the job:

• Planning/running experiments: 30%
• Writing (grants, papers, reports, presentations, etc.): 30%
• Computer-centered work (software development, data analysis, calculations): 25%
• Meetings: 10%
• Training and education: 5%

Work environment:

My employer is a U.S. Department of Energy multi-program laboratory within the Office of Science. I have a private office and multiple labs where I conduct my scientific work.

Work schedule:

I typically spend 60 hours per week working, both at my workplace and at home. I do not receive overtime pay. The work is self-paced, but expectations for productivity are high, both from my managers and from my funding sources.

Tools you can’t live without:

Instrumentation: NMR spectrometers and associated equipment

Software: Too many apps to enumerate and they are all essential!

Best productivity trick:

Getting a good night's sleep and maintaining fitness and good health.

Best career advice you’ve received:

I remember not specific advice I received from mentors, but the compelling examples they set as career scientists, which I still try to emulate.

Skills or talents that make you a good fit for your job:

Perseverance and curiosity.

Essential habit you wish you’d started earlier:

The ability to stay focused, goal-oriented, and disciplined.

Favorite ACS resource:

ACS journals and meetings are indispensable resources for my work.