Spotlight on: John Srnka

Q&A with John Srnka, IMB Workshop Manager

How long have you been with IMB?

I started this IMB journey in 2009 so I’ve been here over eight years.

What does a typical day look like for you and what are you currently working on?

Well, every day in the workshop is different to the one before. It starts with coffee to start my engine running, after that checking all the jobs raised and allocating them to staff to attend to. And then the real fun starts with emails, sending, receiving, negotiating the best price for parts and service calls to save as much money as we can because as we all know, maintaining scientific equipment is not cheap. 

If you could switch jobs with someone at IMB, who would it be?

My job is quite unique in the sense that it is based around electronics and repairing things that I love to do and I have spent over 30 years doing it so I probably wouldn’t swap it with anyone.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

The most fun I have is when I'm working on various electronic projects. For instance, I helped Hankamer group design a microprocessor based LED system to a simulate daylight cycle for growing algae and it was an amazing feeling to know that it helped researchers to get results and possibly publish their work.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a few interests but mostly in my spare time I enjoy doing repairs to old vintage audio equipment, that’s how I started 30 years ago and it’s still my passion. It somehow keeps my mind occupied, I also love photography especially macro photography and landscapes.

What places have you lived in? 

Well, I was born in Serbia but I’m Slovak by nationality so I have lived there as well as in Australia. This year is special for me as I passed the mark of being longer in Australia than my old country so I feel more Aussie now.

Tell us something about yourself that may surprise us?

I have a sweet tooth so like baking Slovak traditional cakes, breads, tortes.