Laboratory Science (Chemistry) Level 6/Degree Apprenticeship

Summary

We are looking for highly motivated people with a real passion for science and determined to learn. No prior experience is needed as we’ll give you all the training you need to succeed. You’ll need to be able to work well in a team, as well as independently and have excellent communication skills.

Wage

Competitive

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Competitive salary and annual bonus based on performance

Training course

Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9-5pm.

36 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

4 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

What will you do?

The Laboratory Scientist role is a 4 year programme, which will require balancing work with learning. Your day-to-day work and training will be supported by studying towards a BSc Chemical Science degree with Manchester Metropolitan University (more information can be found here). The main learning will be completed once a week online, with a residential week once a year.

You will spend the first 24 months of the apprenticeship moving around different departments, and learning more about the specialisms of each team, to learn and carry out lab work. After 24 months, you’ll join a specific department where you’ll continue to grow and develop your skills. To support your education, you will be eligible to utilise 20% of your time towards your studies. This could be one day a week, or you can save them up to use for revision and exams.

We have been recruiting apprentices since 2013, many of whom are still with the business. Each year we are recruit multiple apprentices, so you’ll get the chance to work and study together, across different functions and previous year groups.

Where you’ll work

Reading Science Centre
Whiteknights Campus
Pepper Lane
Reading
RG6 6LA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

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

Degree:

BSc Chemical Science degree

University:

Manchester Metropolitan University

Education / Certifications:

You’ll need a good academic background to qualify for our apprentice program, including:

104 UCAS points at A-Level (grade BCC), one of which must be chemistry (or an equivalent scientific discipline).
A minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grades 9-5, including a Science, Maths and English Language (not Literature)
As part of the requirement for this role you will need to apply and be accepted on to the University course after an offer has been made by RSSL

More training information

You will spend the first 24 months of the apprenticeship moving around different departments, and learning more about the specialisms of each team, to learn and carry out lab work. After 24 months, you’ll join a specific department where you’ll continue to grow and develop your skills. To support your education, you will be eligible to utilise 20% of your time towards your studies. This could be one day a week, or you can save them up to use for revision and exams.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English language (grade 9-5)
Maths (grade 9-5)
Minimum of 5 GCSEs (grade Grades 9-5)
Science (grade 9-5)

A Level in:

x3 A Levels - one of which must be chemistry (grade BCC or 104 UCAS points)

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
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Team working

About this company

At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), where this role will be based, we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International. RSSL is dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions andoutstanding customer service. Recognised for our excellence, we were awarded CRO of the Year at the 2023 OBN Awards, and our apprentices have also received awards from the Royal Society of Chemistry and been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the Thames Valley Awards.If you are passionate about driving innovation and making a real impact, RSSL is the place for you!

https://www.mondelezinternational.com/careers/jobs/job?jobid=R-133191&jobtitle=Laboratory+Science+(C (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

35 days annual leave (including bank holidays) Access to world class scientific equipment. Eligible for NUS Extra card . Contributory pension and flexible benefits programme. Access to employee health and well-being programmes.

After this apprenticeship

After the apprenticeship the business will help to identify a suitable permenant position

Ask a question

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