Faculty Technical Laboratory Apprentice (Life Sciences)

Summary

As a member of the faculty’s technical team, you will provide day to day operational support to the technical services provision within the Faculty of Science and Health supporting teaching, research, innovation and commercial activities across all 4 schools.

Wage

£23,152 a year

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Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday, 08:30 to 17:15, Friday, 08:30 to 16:15.

37 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

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

To assist with cleaning, disinfection, maintenance and preparation of laboratory/simulation materials, equipment and facilities used for teaching, projects and research in accordance with Health and Safety and University policies
To ensure that the teaching and research areas are kept tidy, maintaining loan records for equipment and materials
To develop the skills to assist academic staff with the development and testing of experiments used within practical classes and student projects, which may include supporting via computer packages, internet or technology-enhanced learning
To assist with the preparation of teaching materials using computer packages, the internet and technology-enhanced learning
To develop the skills to operate basic equipment where there is a standard operating procedure
Assisting with Student Recruitment events and other associated marketing events, providing information to students, which may include evenings and weekends
Aiding the preparation of teaching materials using computer packages, including the internet
Undertaking routine administration in support of the above

Where you’ll work

Faculty of Science & Health
New St. Michael's Building
White Swan Road
Portsmouth
PO1 2DT

Training

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

College or training organisation

HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS 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

As an apprentice, you will have the opportunity to study the following through this Apprenticeship:

Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Applied Science
Apprenticeship in Laboratory Technician Level 3
English and maths if required

More training information

This apprenticeship will require a college day release during term time at out South Downs Campus in Waterlooville.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
Science (grade 4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Biology (grade 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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Good Knowledge of MS Office
Clean to a high standard

Other requirements

Initial applications must be made via HSDC. If a candidate is to be considered for interview, they will be contacted individually asking them to apply via the University webpages, before being invited to the formal selection process. The selection day will be in May 2025

About this company

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference. Experience the pride of being part of a select group – one of only four universities in the south-east of England to achieve a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Additionally, we proudly rank among the top 140 universities globally in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings. Ambition, Responsibility and Openness drive our every endeavour. Join our esteemed institution with a proven track record of success, and where dedication to excellence is key. We want people to make their mark in a professional community that truly values people, innovation, and achievement.

http://www.port.ac.uk (opens in new tab)

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

Access to job opportunities at the University of Portsmouth
Trained Laboratory Technician, which is adaptable to STEM subject areas within the Education sector

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