Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £14,518 per annum rising to £16,608 per annum in year 2
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (2 years) 
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Boulby Underground Laboratory, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland

Boulby Underground Laboratory, part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), is excited to announce that we are now recruiting two Laboratory Technician Apprentices to join us in September 2023!

The apprentices will be part of the team supporting and facilitating a number of multidisciplinary science projects. 

Would you like to work in an underground laboratory within a mine?

These opportunities 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 also work with cryogenic and gas flow systems, pressure vessels, particle detectors and a range of other exciting laboratory equipment. 

Main responsibilities will include:

• Work under the mentorship 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. Full training will be provided 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 (https://cogentskills.com/apprenticeships/), these positions 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 in Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, and Principles of Process Control and Fault Diagnosis
• Attend and complete the required training courses, which will also include a 4-day residential block for one of the BTEC units

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 Boulby Underground Laboratory range from astrophysics (including the search for dark matter in the universe) 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, and operate some of the most critical scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry, and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, Lux-Zeplin, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider, Migdal and AION 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. 

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here:

• https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, we are looking for the following: 

Essential:

• Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a STEM subject by September 2023 (or equivalent qualifications) 
• An A Level in Maths or Physics A-C, or a BTEC L3 in Engineering, or equivalent – consideration will be given to applicants without these qualifications as additional Maths units can be included if necessary
• Interest in science, engineering, and technology 
• Ability to demonstrate and convey some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Quality of CV and covering letter 

Desirable:

• Experience of Word, Excel and Outlook
• High organisational skills and the ability to work independently

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.