Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 2 Years
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Warrington, WA4 4AD
Closing date: 16th February 2025
The Vacuum Solutions Group at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at Daresbury, Warrington, are looking to recruit an Apprentice Laboratory Technician to join us in September 2025. You will be part of the team processing components to a high vacuum specification for particle accelerators to enable world leading science. 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 safely control, monitor and adjust equipment and processes in compliance with all departmental Standard Operating and Quality procedures including ISO9001:2015, from issue of Job Card to workflow processes. They report and investigate deviations from normal operating conditions and can deal with basic process upsets.
The Vacuum Solutions Group within STFC's Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) is a small multidisciplinary team of specialists (~18 staff) which undertakes particle accelerator research for current and future ‘Big Science’ facilities. We work on numerous high-profile projects with national and international partners, including CERN and the European Spallation Source. Our Centre was born out of decades of advanced particle accelerator research and development within the STFC national labs at Daresbury and Harwell, delivering internationally leading large-scale science facilities.
About Astec Vacuum Solutions Group:
The main function of the team is to deliver vacuum system design and build for particle accelerator projects and to carry out the necessary research & development associated with delivering world-class facilities. This includes supporting of component preparation for projects such as the Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications (CLARA), the European Spallation Source (ESS), the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) upgrade and Fermilab’s Proton Improvement Plan II (PIP II).
Charged particle accelerators are at the heart of numerous frontier projects in science and technology, including large-scale international research facilities for particle and nuclear physics and major UK centres such as synchrotron sources for neutrons and photons. Alternative, but much smaller solutions, apply to medical and industrial applications. Technologies associated with all modern applications of charged particle beams continue to evolve and demand associated R&D programmes to be pursued.
Staff from ASTeC have expertise in all aspects from design through construction to commissioning. In addition to specifically selected accelerator projects we are engaged in an ongoing programme of world-class research and development studies. This apprenticeship will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills alongside highly skilled technicians, engineers and scientists in an environment that truly makes an impact on the world.
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
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
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!
