Radiation Protection Apprentice

Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 2.5 Years 
Location:  Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025

The Health Physics & Facility Safety Group supports the radiation protection function and the radioactive waste service at ISIS. In the workplace, the Radiation Protection Apprentice will develop the technical skills and competencies required to provide health physics monitoring support and assistance to staff and users at ISIS. The apprentice will also gain the knowledge and skills required for the safe characterisation and processing of radioactive waste prior to its safe disposal. 

About an Apprenticeship

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.  

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

We are recruiting for a Radiation Protection Apprentice to work at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire. Health Physics Surveyor is an essential role that provides support service to the operation of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source. 

The apprentice will be based in our Health Physics & Facility Safety Group where their daily duties will be varied and complemented by formal training with Bridgwater and Taunton College, where over two and a half years they will complete a Level 2 Nuclear Health Physics Monitor Apprenticeship.  

The apprentice will undertake professional development and training through a mixture of online and in-person teaching. There will be 15 days of professional training at college plus additional online touchpoints. Travel expenses will be provided when attending in-person teaching.   

Towards the end of the apprenticeship duration there is an End Point Assessment which includes a form of written assessment, practical assessment and a panel review of the portfolio of evidence. 

Role: 

• Taking readings of surface, air and personal contamination
• Detecting radiation dose rates using various detectors
• Performing calculations to assess exposure risks
• Testing and calibrating monitoring equipment
• Recording and communicating results to teams
• Supporting emergency response.
• Using overhead travelling cranes and forklift trucks 

Qualifications obtained 

• Level 2 Nuclear Health Physics Monitor Apprenticeship (ST0290)
• Health Physics Monitoring in the Nuclear Industry (Theory) Level 2
• Level 2 NVQ in Radiation Protection
• IOSH Working Safely 

This is a 2.5 year program with standard office hours: Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 16:00, and Friday from 08:00 to 15:00. You will be required to wear personal protective equipment when working in radiologically designated areas, and respiratory protective equipment may be necessary at times. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on science and engineering experience while exploring various areas of the RAL site. 

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 or predicted to achieve 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
• Interest in radiation safety (S&I)
• Able to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team (S&I)
• Experience of using Microsoft Office; including working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint (S)
• Interest in and enthusiasm for science (I)

Desirable: 

• Proactive attitude. (I)
• Able to undertake calculations (I)
• Understand the need for document control (I)

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!