Laboratory Technician Apprentice Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England
Job description
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
You are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.
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.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
