Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Summary

Safely control, monitor, and adjust equipment and processes in compliance with all departmental safety standards. Report and investigate deviations from normal operating conditions and deal with basic process anomalies. They will work with cryogenic and gas flow systems, pressure vessels, particle detectors and a range of other equipment.

Wage

£18,900 a year

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Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 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

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Work in a laboratory that is deep underground in a mine.
Work under the guidance and support of a small team of facility staff.
Work safely and in line with established safety measures in the lab on a day-to-day basis, including Clean Room working.
Operate cryogenic systems and gas-handling systems. You will receive training in the safe use of cryogens, pressurised gases, and leak testing.
Operate and maintain a variety of particle detectors.
Assist in the installation of new projects.
Operate data acquisition systems.
Run calibrations and perform basic analysis.
Prepare samples for measurements and transport.
Follow and prepare internal Standard Operating Procedures where applicable.
Participate in the maintenance of laboratory instruments and other laboratory equipment.
Participate in outreach, media and public engagement events.

Through the training provider, Cogent Skills, you will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship which will include:

Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
On-the-job competency training.
Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science with additional training
You will be required to attend and complete the required training courses, which will also include a 4-day residential block for one of the BTEC units

For more information about the training provider/apprenticeship please visit https://cogentskills.com/sias_standards/laboratory-technician/ and https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/laboratory-technician-v1-2

Where you’ll work

Boulby Mine
Loftus
Saltburn-By-The-Sea
TS13 4UZ

Training

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

College or training organisation

COGENT SSC LIMITED

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 be required to attend and complete the required training courses, which will also include a 4-day residential block for one of the BTEC units.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade 4/C or above)

A Level in:

A-Level in Maths or Physics (grade A-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

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

About this company

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.

After this apprenticeship

After successful completion of this apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for any positions within the STFC company which are relevant to your new qualification.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COGENT SSC LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314987.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Sunday 4 May 2025)

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