Cyber Security Apprentice (Degree)

Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 Years 
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025

Join STFC’s award winning apprenticeships - we are Investors In People gold standard accredited: Apprenticeship Accreditations • We Invest In Apprentices | Investors in People

We have an exciting opportunity for a Level 6 (Degree) Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentice (Cyber Security pathway) to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).  The NQCC oversees diverse projects for classical and quantum technologies, aiding quantum computer development in our labs. This involves intricate software, high-performance computing, security, and collaborations. You will be working alongside systems engineers, scientists, engineers, developers, and colleagues who can provide guidance on quantum technologies, helping to secure the UK's quantum computing capabilities.

About an Apprenticeship at STFC 

With training and support from your team in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.

If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else.

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover.

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Communicate and work with fellow team members daily
• Communicate with users, scientists, engineers and management to understand their requirements and translate these into a specification.
• Take an active role in both technical and non-technical meetings.
• Show initiative especially regarding learning new things
• Work independently at times and ask questions if unsure.
• Take responsibility for ensuring your work does what is needed and meets the quality criteria specified.
• Write documentation for technical and non-technical users
• Analyse evidence and data in order to solve problems.
• Help deploy solutions to production and help provide support after release.
• Use a variety of tools and technologies used by the teams to develop and run software and computer systems.
• Present a topic to a small group of people and answer questions.
• Participate in the wider department and STFC apprentice training programme.
• Partake in the promotion activities for NQCC, STFC and STEM.

Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training as part of a cohort of computing apprentices with Buckinghamshire New University completing the Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship – Cyber Security Analyst pathway

You will learn with a blend of self-directed study (using content provided by the university) and tutor-led sessions. Sessions are delivered by a mixture of online delivery and face-to-face sessions. Online sessions will be delivered once per week via a Virtual Learning Environment and will include a mix of group-based discussions, self-study, team activities, self-reflection and personal development. Face-to-face sessions are run throughout the year based on demand from learners.

In your final year, you will also complete your work-based project before undertaking your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include a presentation between the university and STFC, covering the work-based project, your approach, outcome and the skills, knowledge and behaviours demonstrated. This will be assessed as part of the overall project assessment.

You will be supported in developing a portfolio of work-based projects to build and demonstrate the required skills, behaviours and knowledge required for this apprenticeship. 

The qualifications you will achieve are:

• BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions
• Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Professional 

Person specification

In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:

Key - (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.

Essential:

• Achieved GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
• A minimum of 104 UCAS points - two A levels at grade A or above OR three A levels at grade C or above OR a BTEC Level 3 in Computing (or similar subject) or equivalent (Please give subjects and results / expected results in CV) (S)
• Good written communication skills and the ability to work in a team as demonstrated in your CV and cover letter (S)
• Some knowledge of and enthusiasm for computer hardware and software (S&I)
• Your CV and/or cover letter should explain why you have applied for this computing apprenticeship scheme and should contain example(s) of personal or school projects that involved learning about and using a computer system and what you enjoyed. (S&I)
• Ability to /examine evidence and data in order to understand it and solve problems (S&I)
• As a minimum, a successful candidate will be able to work systematically through straightforward problems, examine data, and link it to their understanding of computer systems in order find the cause of problems (S&I)

Desirable:

• Experience in customer-focused roles such as retail, OR examples of how you’ve helped others in educational or personal settings (S&I)
• A flair for communicating in clear, positive terms; understanding that helping staff of all abilities understand problems and solutions is central to successful customer service. (S&I)
• This role requires successful attainment of enhanced security clearance

Due to the requirement of obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, we are only able to accept applications from persons who have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years. We cannot sponsor visa applications for this role.
 

Important Information

1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2025, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. 
3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered.  By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.  

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? 

Join us and discover what’s possible!