Degree Apprentice Laboratory Technician Level 6 (Biosciences) University of Liverpool

What you will do in your working day

Support Institute, Departmental, and Facility core duties:

• Supporting core technical functions in research and teaching departments including assisting with setting up the module/practicals for undergraduates and postgraduate courses;
• Occasionally, carrying out routine testing of mycoplasma infection (training will be provided);
• Occasionally, carrying out straightforward tests and experiments as dictated by the area you will be assigned to. Performing calculations and presenting results accurately, including solving straightforward scientific problems. This will help form part of the final year research project required to complete the Level 6 qualification;
• Using, monitoring, and maintaining/servicing specialist equipment and arranging repairs using in-house resources or external companies;
• Advising members of staff and students about laboratory techniques and instrumentation;
• Growing, storing, and maintenance of cell lines (training will be provided);
• Occasionally, providing straightforward demonstrations of experiments or use of equipment to staff and students;
• Liaising with academic leads under the instruction of the technical supervisor or senior technician.
• Assist with general housekeeping;
• General tidiness, cleaning, and routine care of laboratories, facilities, and equipment;
• Decontamination of biological waste using the autoclave;
• Disposing of biological material and hazardous waste;
• Change of gas cylinders;
• Use of lab equipment including pH meters, dishwashers, water purification machines, and more.
• Maintaining supplies of liquid nitrogen, ensuring dewars are topped up, and transporting liquid nitrogen dewars/dispensers for filling;
• Carrying out the cleaning, sterilising of glassware using the glassware washer;
• Laundry of laboratory coats and maintaining adequate stock of clean coats;
• Defrosting of freezers/cleaning of fridges, when necessary;
• Ensuring a constant supply of 70% ethanol/detergent for use in the laboratory;
• Assisting with the cleaning of tissue culture suites including hoods, water baths, work surfaces, shelving, floors, and routine sterilisation of CO2 Incubators.
• Occasionally assist with the preparation of media, if required.
• Assisting with maintaining stock levels, unpacking deliveries, and restocking shelves to maintain consumables levels within laboratories.
• Assist with the cataloguing of the liquid nitrogen cell freezer database.
• Recycling collection;
• Legionella flushing;
• Timely handling of deliveries;
• Willingness to work with animals. This is rare but is associated with any research or teaching practicals if it occurs.
  Other:
• Making a wide variety of media including making complex media from scratch. This includes solution and plates. Using media preparators and autoclaves.
• Assist with the cataloguing of samples or assets.
• Assist with carrying out PAT testing;

Health and Safety:

• You will be trained and gain an understanding of policies and procedures relevant to the role, particularly those governing health and safety.
• You will help to ensure a positive health and safety culture within the lab and challenge bad practices and reports if necessary.
• You will occasionally review and complete risk assessments, SOPS, and CoSHH forms
• You may be asked to assist with safety audits/inspections as an observer to help find any infringement in health and safety as part of development.

The training you will be getting

Level 6 - Laboratory Science (Bioscience) BSc Degree

https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/apprenticeships/courses/laboratory-scientist-bioscience

Training delivered at Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester).
Varies between block release to day release depending on programme and year.

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

• Individuals will qualify and apply for additional positions either within the University, Industry and/or Health Service.
• General career progression can be anywhere from progressing up to the technical route (core laboratory support, teaching, research and/or facility).
• Alternatively, some individuals have opted to go to the postgraduate route to study further for a master's degree or PhD. Some have changed careers to become a teacher and more. There is no limit to this.