Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 Years
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Warrington, WA4 4AD
Closing date: 16th February 2025
STFC’s Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) are looking to recruit two Science and Engineering Technician Apprentices to join us in Sept 2025. You will be part of the team supporting our facilities and research labs. The work will be varied including mechanical and electrical tasks, clean vacuum work, design work and day to day lab operations and procurement.
Whether you’re about to leave school/college, changing career, or are seeking an exciting alternative to university, this could be just the start you’re looking for – an Engineering Apprenticeship at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory.
About an Apprenticeship at 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.
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
As an Engineering apprentice, you will undertake learning and development to become an accomplished multi skilled technician. Working under the guidance and support of a team of technicians, engineers and scientists you will be trained to work in the following areas:
Perform mechanical/electrical assembly, installation and operation of vacuum and cryogenic systems.
Working with Radio frequency systems, lasers and other cutting edge technologies to support accelerator science
Coordinating with other departments (workshop, site services, logistics etc.) and contractors for delivering necessary services to ensure effective laboratory operations
Provide ongoing support to operational facilities including fault finding and planned maintenance
Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training through a mix of day-release and block teaching with training providers at Riverside College and Cronton College in Widnes to fulfil the requirements of a Level 3 Engineering Technician – Mechatronics Apprenticeship.
There may also be an opportunity to undertake a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering during your 3rd and 4th year at Cronton College, this is equivalent to L4 of the engineering qualifications framework.
Year 1 - During the first year of your apprenticeship, you will be based at college full time.
Year 2 onwards - You will be based within the Accelerator Science and Technology Centre at Daresbury Laboratory approximately 4 days per week where you will continue your apprenticeship and gain further specialised skills that will enhance your theoretical knowledge and support you as you return to college on day 5.
In your final year, you will also complete an End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include an observation, professional discussion and the production of a portfolio.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will achieve:
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:
Desirable:
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!
