Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Summary

Join the Marine Biological Association as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice! Gain hands-on experience in laboratory equipment and techniques as well as animal husbandry. Develop skills in scientific analysis while supporting a range of cutting-edge research. This opportunity is ideal for those passionate about science and practical learning.

Annual wage: £23,114 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Hours may vary depending on laboratory requirements including some early starts or weekend working
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 13 January
Duration: 1 year 6 months
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

You will work in a variety of our laboratories across the science programme, from Ecology and Plankton Taxonomy laboratories to our Research Aquarium. Occasional seagoing or fieldwork may be required.

Some of your daily duties will include:

Help the Laboratory Manager and/or Aquarium Manager and other science staff to facilitate the continuity and the smooth running of research projects
Work closely with the Laboratory Manager and other staff to ensure that the research facilities and equipment are functioning correctly
Learn to liaise with company representatives when ordering equipment and supplies to try and obtain the most cost effective and reliable source
Assist with sub-culturing where necessary including periodic microscopic examination and reporting
Help maintain adequate stocks of everyday laboratory and aquarium items
Support with stock and stores including goods in/out
Updating relevant records to order on-line through Market Place, to sending and receiving email messages from suppliers and end users require good working knowledge and understanding of computer usage
Learn how to be responsible for the control of substances hazardous to health (CoSHH)
To be responsible for day-to-day laboratory and aquarium housekeeping duties including sea-water filtration, cleaning tanks, grading, sorting and washing up (e.g. laboratory glass and plastic-ware)
Undertaking routine checks and maintenance of organisms including feeding
Operation of autoclave and other sterilization equipment for making-safe waste for disposal, sterilisation of glass, plastic-ware and media
Preparation and sterilisation of liquid media (for cell culture) and distilled water stocks
Preparation and testing of samples using basic and advanced instrument techniques (training provided)
Accurate data entry and use of IT systems as and when required
Maintaining stocks and reporting shortages. This would include pouring agar plates to replenish stock
Maintaining general lab cleanliness including removal of waste material to appropriate waste bins
Working in accordance with agreed procedures, protocols and the safety management system
Providing feedback and raising any concerns with managers or other reporting procedures
Undertaking any additional miscellaneous duties, as directed by the Laboratory Manager and/or Aquarium Manager including occasional reception cover and assisting with set up for courses or events

Where you’ll work

THE LABORATORY

CITADEL HILL

PLYMOUTH

PL1 2PB

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

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING 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

Through the training provider, CSR Scientific Training, 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

Training will be delivered online with occasional site visits by a vocational skills coach to assess you in the workplace.

Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

2 more GCSEs (grade 4)
English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
Science (grade 4)
Science (grade C)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Biology (grade 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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Physical fitness
Seagoing experience

Other requirements

Flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the laboratory with some early or weekend hours associated with supporting the Research Aquarium.

About this company

From the seashore to the seafloor, we’re on a voyage to discover more about our ocean and all aspects of sea life. The MBA is a Learned Society that hosts a research laboratory with Members in over 50 countries. From 1884 to today, the vital in-depth scientific research of our marine science community has helped us better understand the intricate, interconnected marine environment—one that we all depend on every day. From global from marine heatwaves to marine megafauna and the marine microbiome.

https://www.mba.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

With the broad experience and research supported during this apprenticeship it is expected that the candidate would have the potential to secure a Laboratory Technician position with skills that would apply to numerous scientific organisations with future progression through to more advanced or specialist technician roles in the future.

Ask a question

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