My Cirdan Placement Experience: Enya Saul, Placement Lab Analyst

Enya Saul joined Cirdan as part of our 2025-26 student intake. During her placement year, Enya has been involved in many projects as a Lab Analyst and part of Cirdan’s clinical team, focusing on both design and clinical aspects involved in the development of our Laboratory Information System, ULTRA.

We caught up with Enya to find out more about her placement experience within Cirdan, what she has enjoyed about her role, and what she will bring from her experience as she transitions back to university life.

What did your job role involve at Cirdan?

During my placement at Cirdan, I worked across both the Design and Clinical team as a Lab Analyst. This gave me a unique perspective, allowing me to gain first-hand insight into customer experiences and feedback while contributing directly to the design and development of product improvements. A key part of my role involved understanding pathology laboratory workflows, identifying opportunities to improve the ULTRA application, and documenting these enhancements through user stories and functional requirements. By combining clinical knowledge with user-centred design, I was able to help ensure new features met the practical needs of laboratory professionals.

I also had the opportunity to work with the Testing team, carrying out verification testing for new functionality before release, as well as writing user guides for both customers and internal staff to support use of the ULTRA application. The variety of tasks throughout placement gave me a well-rounded understanding of the medical technology industry and the collaborative process involved in introducing new software features from concept to implementation.

What are some of your most memorable moments from working at Cirdan?

I am lucky to have been given multiple exciting opportunities in my placement year with Cirdan. Some of my most memorable moments have been representing the company at Women in STEM events at Queens University and the Waterfront Hall. I was also given the Opportunity to return to Ulster University Coleraine to represent Cirdan at the career fair – a true full-circle moment, as this is where I was first introduced to the company! These experiences were both inspiring and empowering, and it was a privilege to meet and learn from so many accomplished women working across STEM industries.

The most rewarding part of my placement has been seeing new features that I helped design progress through development, testing, and final approval before becoming available to ULTRA users. Watching a feature evolve from an initial concept into a solution used in pathology laboratories around the world has been incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my work has contributed to improving the daily workflows of laboratory professionals has been one of the highlights of my placement year.

What are your plans for when you go back to university?

When I return to university for my final year of Biomedical Science, I intend to take my Cirdan experience with me. My experience has given me valuable insight into the medical technology industry, and I hope to incorporate this knowledge into my studies, particularly through a research project that explores the intersection of biomedical science and healthcare technology.

This placement has also given me much greater clarity about my future career. I now have a stronger understanding of the opportunities available within the medical technology sector and the skills required to succeed in the industry. As I move into a final year that is heavily laboratory-based, I feel much more confident in my understanding of Laboratory Information Systems and their role within modern pathology services. Working closely with pathology laboratories has also highlighted areas where I can continue to develop, particularly by gaining more hands-on laboratory experience to further understand the needs of pathologists and laboratory staff. This additional perspective will help me contribute more effectively to the continued development of the ULTRA product. I plan to continue working part-time with Cirdan throughout my final year, giving me the opportunity to apply what I learn at university while seeing, in real time, how my academic and practical experience complement one another.

I am also entering my final year equipped with invaluable industry experience and the professional skills required to succeed in the workplace. Throughout my placement, I have developed confidence in professional communication, time management, teamwork, and meeting etiquette, all of which will support me as I begin my career after graduation.

Thank you Enya for sharing your experience with us as part of Team Cirdan. We are delighted to have you on board!

Interested in taking up a placement role with Cirdan?

Please send your CV to recruitment@cirdan.com.