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
We are recruiting Level 6 (Degree) Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentices (Software pathway) to join us at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. Scientific computing is fundamental to modern research. This broad and rapidly advancing field involves exploiting advanced computing capabilities to understand and solve complex problems in science. We support some of the UK's most advanced scientific facilities and provide the tools that enable the scientific community to discover and deliver vital research.
The Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice will gain first-hand experience working as part of a professional team, supported by theoretical and practical learning. You will have the opportunity to make an impact early on in your role, where you’ll also learn the specialist skills tailored to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required as a computing professional.
We are offering roles in the following departments or rotations:
Rotational Apprenticeship
As a rotational apprentice, you will undertake a series of rotations within different departments, within Scientific Computing and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. You will develop your expertise in object-oriented programming, data modelling, SQL, systems development, agile, systems analysis and design, web and mobile application development, big data and analytics, user experience design, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and the internet of things (IoT). You will work closely with scientists and engineers so you should have good interpersonal skills and be committed to delivering an excellent customer service.
SCD
The Scientific Computing Department (SCD) provides large-scale computing facilities, computing data services and infrastructure. The services and infrastructure that SCD provides UKRI, underpins almost every key calculation across STFC and beyond. For example, the Data & Software Engineering Group design, develop, & support a wide range of high-quality software enabling large-science facilities & researchers in different domains to support their data. Among many things, this enables researchers to discover their experimental data, catalogue it and gather analysis workflows.
ISIS
The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source is a research centre at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire and is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences. It works by producing beams of neutrons and muons that allow scientists to study materials at the atomic level using a suite of instruments, often described as ‘super-microscopes’. As an apprentice in the ISIS Computing Department, you will have the opportunity to work on the software we create and maintain that facilitate experiments on the ISIS beamline.
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
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 – Software Engineering pathway. Digital and technology solutions professional / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
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:
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 (or equivalent) passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths & English (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 (S) (Please give subjects and resulted/expected results in CV)
Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies (S&I)
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)
Right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment (S)
Desirable:
A/AS/BTEC/T Level (or equivalent) in computing or other technical discipline (S)
Please give subjects and results / expected results in CV
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)
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!
