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Apprentice Laboratory Technician - BioEscalator University of Oxford

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the University of Oxford as an Apprentice Laboratory Technician in BioEscalator, Medical Sciences Division. This is an unusual and varied role, where you will develop and learn technical skills and provide a professional, high-quality customer focused service.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 17 Jun 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £20,047.00

  • Working week

    To be confirmed

    Total hours per week: 36.5

  • Expected duration

    24 Months

  • Possible start date

    01 Sep 2022

  • Date posted

    05 Jun 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000050791

  • Positions

    1 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

All tasks will be at a level appropriate to the apprentice’s developing skills. Under the guidance of the Laboratory Manager, the successful candidate will be expected to support all aspects of the laboratories in the BioEscalator, including:

  • Assist the Lab Manager with helping new tenants to move into their laboratories.
  • Communicate with tenants both verbally and by e-mail.
  • Maintain stocks of general laboratory consumables and chemicals.
  • Learn general laboratory housekeeping (i.e. good laboratory practice), following relevant Health and Safety procedures, to ensure a safe working environment is maintained.
  • Keep all lab areas clean and tidy.
  • Assist the Lab Manager with the shared labs on a daily basis, including changing gas cylinders, operating standard lab machinery such as autoclaves and glasswashers, refilling the liquid nitrogen supply tank weekly and collection of dry ice. Note that this will involve some manual handling.
  • Assist the Lab Manager in routine maintenance of ultra-low temperature (i.e. - 80°C) freezers and keep accurate records. Also, maintain and keep a record of personal protective equipment such as face visors, cryogenic gloves, safety spectacles, UV googles and visors.
  • Assist the Lab Manager in maintaining the tissues culture facilities including making up 70% ethanol and 1% virkon.
  • Carry out routine equipment maintenance, testing, and cleaning.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

You will be required to complete a 2-year training programme that will cover all aspects of the role and will be delivered through inhouse training, as well as day-release or other distance learning methods delivered by CSR group. You will complete a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science Apprenticeship that is within the laboratory apprenticeship sector and you will gain a BTEC qualification.
College attendance and successful completion of these studies is an essential requirement of this Apprenticeship. In addition, you will have access to a number of relevant in-house training courses run by the University training providers, including People and Organisational Development, Health & Safety Office and Oxford University IT Services.

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their Apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, IT skills, Attention to detail, Team working

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4/C or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4/C or above) Essential

About the employer

The Oxford BioEscalator is an innovation centre on the Old Road Campus, right alongside some of the University's major medical research institutes. Innovation in Oxford is thriving and growing rapidly; the BioEscalator is a key component in that growth, providing a nurturing environment for early-stage ideas and enabling start-up companies to become sustainable. The BioEscalator rents space to commercial tenants; small, early-stage start-up and spin-out companies in the biomedical science sector. Lettings are done on a flexible basis and may be as little as one bench in a shared lab or an entire private lab. The BioEscalator also has purpose-built shared facilities: molecular biology labs, including a tissue culture suite and chemistry lab; the Hub (the centre of collaboration and events); and meeting rooms.

Employer

University of Oxford

Address

BioEscalator

Medical Sciences Divisional Office.

Old Road Campus, Headington

OX3 7FZ

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Training

Training provider

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

Apprenticeship standard

Laboratory technician

Level 3 (A level)

Employer's Application Instructions

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 17 Jun 2022