Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Summary

Join Northumbria University's Physics department for an exceptional opportunity at the city campus. Work alongside six skilled team members to maintain high-quality labs across 23 facilities. Gain hands-on experience as an apprentice in data analysis, optical techniques, and materials characterisation, while supporting innovative research and teaching.

Wage

£22,011 a year

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Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 and Friday 09:00 – 16:30.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As part of this apprenticeship, your responsibilities may evolve in line with the programme's requirements. The duties outlined below highlight the general scope of the role but are not exhaustive:

Provide technical support to academic staff and students within the physics department under supervision
Develop and uphold an understanding of health & safety regulations as guided by technical supervisors
Gain practical knowledge of various laboratory techniques and procedures
Assist in preparing materials and equipment for use by staff and students
Support practical teaching sessions as directed by senior technicians, including helping operate and demonstrate equipment
Conduct routine maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines under supervisory direction
Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean, and organised working environment in specialist laboratory areas
Help monitor and manage stock levels of consumables
Stay informed about health & safety procedures relevant to the assigned areas

This apprenticeship offers practical, hands-on experience designed to develop a wide range of valuable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisation, and problem-solving. You will gain technical expertise in laboratory techniques, equipment maintenance and the safe handling of materials. Working under the guidance of experienced technicians, you will also learn to prepare and set up equipment, conduct maintenance, handle data accurately and address issues with scientific instruments.

Additionally, you will operate safely in a laboratory environment, using appropriate protective equipment, assessing risks and following established protocols. Your role will include contributing to teaching and research activities, learning to demonstrate scientific techniques, and managing health and safety during practical sessions.

This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation to build technical and professional expertise in a supportive, real-world environment.

Where you'll work

Ellison Building
Ellison Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 8ST

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
Complete documentation proficiently
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
Complete documentation proficiently
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Your training plan

You will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with an Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' training provider, CSR Scientific Training, which will include:

Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
On-the-job competency training
Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science (if required)

The majority of your learning will be completed online once a week with some face-to-face practical sessions/exams in Birmingham (if BTEC is included).

Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

x 5 including Maths, English and Science (grade C/4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

This vacancy will close early if a suitable candidate is found sooner. Do not delay your application.

About this company

Northumbria University is a research-intensive University that unlocks potential for all, changing lives regionally, nationally and internationally. Named UK University of the Year 2022 by Times Higher Education and Modern University of the Year 2025 by The Times and The Sunday Times, it is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, with an additional campus in London. Originating from Rutherford College (founded in 1880), Northumbria is ranked in the UK’s top 25 for research power and graduate employment. The university works with leading employers like Nike, IBM, and the NHS, and is a top UK institution for graduate start-ups. Northumbria attracts students from 137 countries and collaborates globally with higher education institutions.

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion, there is the potential opportunity to stay within the team as a technician.

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