Meet the Team - Dr. Leanne Jones

This month we meet Leanne Jones, Metallurgist at Brookes Bell. Leanne recently joined the group’s metallurgy team, bringing a strong academic background in materials science and advanced characterisation, alongside a clear enthusiasm for applying scientific thinking to real-world investigations.

Raised in Anglesey in North Wales, Leanne studied Physics with Medical Applications at the University of Liverpool. Initially drawn to the subject through an interest in mathematics, her focus shifted as her degree progressed towards materials science and the behaviour of materials at a fundamental level. “I became really interested in how materials work,” she explains. “Understanding why a material behaves the way it does, and how its structure and chemistry influences performance, was what I enjoyed most.”

She went on to complete a PhD at Liverpool, specialising in two-dimensional layered materials. Her doctoral research centred on advanced X-ray characterisation techniques, examining how material properties change with composition and how different materials interact. The work provided Leanne with a rigorous grounding in analysing materials from both physical and chemical perspectives.

Following her doctorate, Leanne moved to the University of Oxford, where she spent more than three years as a postdoctoral researcher. Her work there became significantly more applied, focusing on metallic alloys used as catalysts for water electrolysis for green hydrogen production. Using advanced X-ray techniques, she investigated surface reactions that enable efficient hydrogen generation, combining material design, fabrication and testing under realistic operating conditions.

One project in particular stands out. Leanne recalls attempting to observe chemical reactions in liquid environments using techniques that normally require a vacuum. “It felt impossible at first,” she says. “We had to design a bespoke experimental cell that allowed X-rays to pass in and out while the reaction was happening. After a lot of trial and error, it finally worked in the early hours of the morning. That moment really captured what I enjoy about science; the persistence, the problem-solving and eventually making sense of something complex.”

What ultimately drew Leanne to Brookes Bell was the opportunity to apply that investigative mindset directly to consultancy work. She explains that metallurgy investigations often involve answering difficult questions about why a component failed, how damage developed, or how materials have behaved over time. “The process is very similar to research,” she notes. “You start with evidence, test it from different angles, and gradually build a clear narrative. The difference here is that the outcomes have immediate, practical consequences for clients.”

At Brookes Bell, Leanne’s work is and will be highly varied. One case might involve analysing fractures in bolts, while another focuses on the failure of large structural components. She describes metallurgy as inherently forensic. “Fracture surfaces, corrosion products and microstructures all tell a story,” she explains. “Learning how to read and interpret those clues is a fascinating part of the role.”

Although new to the maritime sector, Leanne has found the transition both challenging and rewarding. She has developed a rapid understanding of ships and marine systems, supported by an exceptional depth of knowledge across the business. “There is so much experience here,” she says. “Being able to draw on colleagues’ expertise has helped me build confidence quickly and understand how material failures translate into real operational risks.”

Looking ahead, Leanne is particularly interested in how metallurgy continues to evolve. Advances in materials development and changes in environmental regulations are creating new opportunities, but also new potential for failures that require careful interpretation. She sees the role of metallurgists as one of continual learning. “You are always adapting,” she says. “New materials bring new questions, and staying curious is essential.”

For those considering a career in materials science or metallurgy, Leanne’s advice is simple. “Follow what genuinely interests you,” she says. “I didn’t have a fixed end goal. Curiosity guided my choices, and materials science is a great foundation because it opens doors across so many industries if you enjoy problem-solving.”