Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship

Summary

Are you passionate about Science and looking to kick-start your career with an exciting apprenticeship opportunity? Luxfer is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge magnesium alloys and innovative zirconium materials for industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare. Join our world-class team and be part of the future of advanced materials!

Wage

£18,000 a year

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Training course

Scientist (level 6)

Hours

Monday to Friday - shift times to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

2

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

The role is part of the R&D department at Luxfer MEL Technologies’ (LMT) Manchester site. The zirconium chemicals business at LMT develop materials that go into catalyst and healthcare applications. The magnesium business within LMT design, develop and manufacture novel magnesium alloys used in a range of applications from aerospace to oil and gas.

As an R&D Apprentice you will be predominantly based in the Zirconium R&D team, where you will be involved in developing future zirconium advanced materials. You may also complete placements in other departments such as Quality Assurance and Manufacturing, which will be done in six monthly blocks.

Alongside your studies, you’ll be working as part of the Zirconium Research and Development Team where you will:

Learn to conduct experimental work, initially based on set protocols, and then learning to design your own synthesis and scale up experiments
Learn to characterise the materials you produce using traditional chemistry techniques and a wide variety of analytical instrumentation (for example XRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, IC, Particle Size, Surface Area and Porosity instruments)
Learn to interpret the results you generate and learning to present the data you produce
Maintain a high standard of laboratory operating conditions regarding equipment, validity of calibration standards, housekeeping, experimental data records, etc. by adhering to established standards
Ensuring compliance with all Environmental, Health and Safety policies, laws and regulations as they apply to laboratory functions and operations

Where you’ll work

Lumns Lane
Manchester
M27 8LN

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

Scientist (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.
Apply chemical concepts and theories to investigations.
Design, develop and carry out chemical science investigations.
Recommend synthetic pathways to target-compounds and design experimental activities to test predictions.
Design and deploy purification, isolation and characterisation strategies, taking account of physicochemical properties of elements and compounds.
Design, develop and carry out qualitative and quantitative sample preparation, chemical measurement, and analysis.
Critically compare the results of theoretical or computational modelling with those from experiment and observation.
Apply physics theories to solve problems that cross scientific discipline boundaries.
Apply computational techniques to analysis and model physical behaviour.
Apply physics concepts and theories to investigations.
Design, develop and carry out physics based investigations.
Use mathematical techniques and theories to solve physics problems.
Use computer programming software to solve physics based problems.
Critically analyse current and emerging developments in the biosciences and the contribution of Biosciences to the wider industry.
Apply Biological concepts and theories to investigations.
Design, develop and carry out biological investigations
Perform tasks related to sample preparation and culturing techniques.
Use of laboratory automation systems.
Perform sampling with consideration for sample variation.
Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.

Your training plan

Apprentices work full-time whilst studying towards a BSc (Hons) Scientist (Chemical Science) degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a Level 6 degree apprenticeship
Students study a tutor-supported e-distance learning curriculum and attend residential schools. The work-based projects, negotiated with employers, offer students the opportunity to apply their learning directly to their organisation
The programme is primarily taught through tutor-supported online study, part-time over four years.
Apprentices will attend a two-day induction at the University to help them get to know each other and balance undergraduate study with working full-time. They will also attend a week-long residential at our campus in central Manchester once a year, in addition to a two day mini-residential in the first year

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs (including Maths, English & Science) (grade A*-C/9-4)

A Level in:

Various (with one being Chemistry) (grade BBC (112 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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Self-driven
Interest in Chemistry
Work under pressure
Time management skills

Other requirements

In a rapidly developing business environment, flexible team working is the way forward to meet the Company’s goals as set in the overall strategic plan. Therefore, you will, from time to time, be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities. It is necessary for each employee to assist, or cover all aspects of their departmental responsibilities when the need arises.

About this company

Luxfer MEL Technologies is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of Magnesium and Zirconium based products and services to technology industries worldwide. We have a wide range of products, including Cast & Machined Magnesium Billet, Magnesium Casting Alloys, Magnesium Extruded Bar, Rod & Profiles, Pure Zirconium Oxides, Doped Zirconia’s and Reactive Zirconium Chemicals, serving high-end markets, such as Aerospace, Automotive, Healthcare, Defence, Oil & Gas, Environmental, Protection and Speciality. We serve a global customer base, from manufacturing operations in Manchester, England and New Jersey, USA

https://www.luxfermeltechnologies.com/ (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

At the completion of the apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity for a full-time position.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000316917.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 9 May 2025)

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Company’s application instructions

You will need to apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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