Laboratory Scientist Apprenticeship

Summary

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a genuine interest in science and its application in medicine/drug discovery and development. Throughout the apprenticeship you will be supported and mentored by experienced scientists that will guide you through your early career.

Annual wage: Competitive
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)
Hours: (4 days a week on site and 1 day a week working from home for self-study, Monday to Friday) Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 6 January
Duration: 5 Years
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

The Laboratory Scientist Apprentice will join our rotation programme where they will experience multiple disciplines and carry out scientific experiments. You will perform a variety of technical support functions in, but not limited to, the Biology or Chemistry departments that will directly impact the discovery and development of novel drug/medicine for our clients.

Technician scientists will be expected to work safely and ethically to ensure the quality and safety of our products. They will be expected to work both individually and as part of a laboratory team. With experience, they will be able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work.

Develop and apply theoretical knowledge of the advanced science and technology, gained through your university studies, in a laboratory-based setting and implement new processes
Understand the principles of laboratory techniques to prepare for and perform laboratory experiments using the appropriate scientific techniques, procedures, and methods
Work independently to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results of laboratory work and problem solving clearly and concisely in written and oral form
Use creative thinking and problem solving to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals, and build on existing ideas
Communicate effectively using a full range of skills: speaking to a scientific and non-scientific audience, active listening, professional writing, professional body language, scientific presentation
Work autonomously and interact effectively within a wide, multi-disciplinary project team
Comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) including compliance with good record keeping & confidentiality
Take responsibility for personal development, demonstrating commitment to learning and self-improvement

Where you’ll work

Robinson Building Chesterford Research Park

Little Chesterford

Saffron Walden

CB10 1XL

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Your training course

Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Identify and use the scientific approaches appropriate to one specialist discipline required to solve problems, support new investigations and follow-up experiments in the laboratory.

Appraise scientific experimentation, independently design and implement new processes according to relevant literature and other data sources interrogated using data mining techniques and input from colleagues.

Support appraisal of scientific experimentation with numerical and statistical analysis.

Work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results of laboratory work and problem solving clearly and concisely in written and oral form.

Comply with regulations including compliance with business rules pertaining to record keeping, data integrity, traceability & confidentiality.

Promote and ensure the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the workplace in own work and the work of others.

Use creative thinking and problem solving techniques such as root cause analysis, to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.

Autonomously plan and prioritise tasks, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios.

Contribute to the development of specific technical projects across multi-disciplinary teams.

Ensure that targets are met and maintained, within own area of responsibility, whilst complying with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.

Lead continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment using process mapping & analysis and root cause analysis that is informed by other appropriate principles, such as lean, six sigma, project and change management.

Your training plan

Laboratory scientist (degree) Level 6 Apprenticeship Standard

One day per week remote learning on E-Learning platform Moodle.
Two in person Summer Schools at the Canterbury Campus
Tripartite reviews every 8 - 12 weeks online with your Apprenticeship Advisor
BSc in either Bioscience or Chemical Science

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
Chemistry or Biology (grade C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

IT skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Team working
Literacy and Numeracy skill
Proactive
Passion to learn

Other requirements

We are holding the assessment day Tuesday 8th October, 2024 at our Saffron Walden site - please ensure you are able to attend on that date if selected.

About this company

Charles River is a drug discovery partner that provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts.

Company benefits

Private medical insurance, Remote GP, Leading pension plan (9% company contributions), 34 days annual leave, Annual salary review.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates will be able to apply for permanent positions if available.

Ask a question

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