Laboratory Technician Apprentice Level 3

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Abingdon, OX14 3DB

Closes in 20 days (Friday 21 February)

Posted on 24 January 2025


Summary

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Level 3 Apprentice Laboratory Technician, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining laboratory equipment under the instruction of more senior laboratory technicians.

Wage
£18,810 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pension Scheme and Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%, except those in Year 1 who are in full time education during the given financial year.

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:15 to 16:30.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

2

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

  • Ensure equipment is available to ensure maximum utilisation and organisational benefit.
  • Maintain safety, following Operation Instructions to operate experiments or conduct analysis within the laboratory spaces.
  • Identify and escalate risks/issues to the supervisor.
  • Support the improvement of documentation and carry out administrative tasks as requested.
  • Assist the installation of experimental rigs or new equipment.
  • Complete national academic qualification as defined by the apprenticeship training standard.
  • Attend designated training provider, develop and attain a good knowledge of technical skills.
  • Represent the UKAEA Organisation and attend external outreach and careers events.

Where you’ll work

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

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

TIRO TRAINING LTD

Your training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Your training plan

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 5 including Maths and English (grade A* - C (9 - 4))

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

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this company

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on. Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

https://careers.ukaea.uk/current-vacancies/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Dedicated Early Careers events & team building opportunities. Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays.

After this apprenticeship

  • Individuals will be eligible to apply to a full-time position, the organisation often supports further training, and the role can be a gateway to further career opportunities in more senior positions. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Early Careers Team

EarlyCareers@ukaea.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000298432.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Friday 21 February)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.