Apprentice Research and Development Technician

Summary

We are looking for a Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join our Research & Development Metrology Team. With big ambitions for the future there has never been a better time to join Victrex! You'll receive first class, on the job, training from a dedicated team, whilst earning a competitive salary.

Wage: £22,478.50 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Friday, working hours to be confirmed.
36 hours 18 minutes a week
Possible start date: Monday 1 September
Duration: 2 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

In this role you will plan and deliver practical experimental work and maintain laboratory assets in support of the development of new and existing materials, processes and technologies.
This role will particularly focus upon material characterisation using a mixture of chemical analysis, microscopy and varied techniques to determine material properties. This is in support of innovation projects, customers and manufacturing. You will generate and capture data in our digital systems, interpret results and share findings though reports.
Laboratory Technicians are trusted to work safely in a lab environment, follow best practice health and safety and quality procedures in order to appropriately meet the requirements of their job role.

Where you’ll work

Victrex Technology Centre

Hillhouse International

Thornton Cleveleys

Lancashire

FY5 4QD

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

BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE

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

You will complete a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship via our trusted training provider at Blackpool & the Fylde College.

The duration of this Apprenticeship is approximately 24-months and if successful, you will join our 2025 Apprenticeship Intake in September.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 subjects including Maths and English (grade Grade C/4 or above)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working

About this company

Victrex is an innovative world leader in high performance materials, serving a diverse range of markets. Every day, millions of people rely on products or applications which contain our polymers, from smartphones, aeroplanes and cars to oil & gas platforms and medical devices.

Company benefits

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays. • Vitality Health Private Medical Insurance. • Employee Pension Contribution Rate of up to 7% of Pensionable Pay and a Company contribution of up to 12%. • Enrolment in Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Join our Research & Development Metrology Team.

Ask a question

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