Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 2 Years 

Boulby Underground Laboratory is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). We are looking to recruit Apprentice Laboratory Technician to join us in September 2025. The apprentice will be part of the team supporting and facilitating a number of multidisciplinary science projects in the underground laboratory. STFC has over 20 years’ experience in providing apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience within the science and engineering arena.  

The apprentice laboratory technician will: 

Work in the underground and surface laboratories to safely control, monitor, and adjust equipment and processes in compliance with all departmental safety standards. They will report and investigate deviations from normal operating conditions and will be able to deal with basic process anomalies. They will work with cryogenic and gas flow systems, pressure vessels, particle detectors and a range of other laboratory equipment.  

About Boulby Underground Laboratory 

The Boulby Underground Laboratory is located at Boulby Mine on the north-east coast of England and on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. It is the UK’s deep underground science facility and has hosted deep underground science since the 1990s. It is a special place for science – a ‘quiet place in the universe’ – where studies can be carried out almost entirely free of interference from natural background radiation. Projects at the Boulby Underground Laboratory range from astrophysics (including the search for dark matter) to ultra-low background material screening, studies of geology and geophysics, climate, the environment, life in extreme environments on Earth and beyond. You can learn more about us here (https://www.boulby.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx)  

Boulby Underground Laboratory is part of the Particle Physics Department at STFC, which is one of the largest particle physics groups in the UK. We design, construct, operate and exploit some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, Super-K, T2K, nuSTORM, Lux-Zeplin, XLZD, LiquidO/nuCLOUD, MIGDAL, Electron Ion Collider, AION, SWIFT-HEP, Detector R&D (DRD) and GridPP collaborations. 

About an Apprenticeship with STFC

With training and support from experts 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 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 

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, English (S)
• An A Level in Maths or Physics A-C, or a BTEC L3 in Engineering (S) – consideration will be given to applicants without these qualifications as additional Maths units can be included if necessary
• Interest in science, engineering, and technology (S&I)
• Ability to demonstrate and convey some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill (I)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills. (I)
• Quality of CV and covering letter (S)

Desirable: 

• Experience of Word, Excel and Outlook. (S&I)
• High organisational skills and the ability to work independently (I)

Applicants must be 18 years or over to comply with site health and Safety regulations.

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. To check your eligibility please click here.
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!