Apprentice Laboratory Technician

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to complete the Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship, delivered by the South Hampshire College Group, while gaining hands-on experience in a cutting-edge research environment.

Wage

£16,165.20 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, pay will be the lowest spine point of Level 2b, Spine Point 17, £26,942 FTE. In year 1 of the apprenticeship, pay will be 60% of this spine point value, before increasing to 70% in year 2 and so on.

Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.12pm (Exact shifts to be confirmed)

36 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

To assist team members in the day-to-day technical operation of the research laboratories and specialist facilities.

This can involve:

- Sharing responsibility for laboratory infrastructure (e.g., LEV, autoclaves, RO water, water softeners, glasswashers etc), equipment (e.g., Gas chromatographs, centrifuge, incubators) and anaerobic digestion facilities
Carrying out maintenance of communal laboratory equipment and arranging repairs/service
Assisting with stocking of equipment and goods
Participating in the team housekeeping rota including things such as waste disposal, glass washing and laundry
Maintaining a safe working environment in accordance with health and safety procedures
To assist other team members to plan, organise and carry out a range of services offered by the technical team ensuring the requirements of the customer are met
To assist in making accurate and effective use of computerised and manual record keeping systems in order to compile information including maintenance and service schedules and to create & update Standard Operating Procedures and risk assessments for allocated laboratory equipment
To assist in providing guidance and coaching to junior colleagues, staff and students in relation to technical services and allocated laboratory equipment
To assist in resolving a range of standard work issues, knowing when to refer more complex cases to supervisor/manager.
To attend relevant meetings when requested by manager in support of standard work activities
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder

Where you'll work

University of Southampton
University Road
Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Training

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

College or training organisation

SOUTH HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUP

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 be expected to be at college on day release and at work the other 4 days

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs at (including English, maths and science) (grade grade 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
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Able to sit aptitude tests

Other requirements

Please refer to the Job Description attached on the University website (https://jobs.soton.ac.uk/3155025DA) for further information about this role and the skills and qualifications required.

About this company

The University of Southampton is a founding member of the Russell Group - an organisation of 24 top UK universities committed to maintaining the highest research and teaching standards and creating strong links with business and the public sector. The School of Biological Sciences focuses its research around 7 themes (Computational & Systems Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology & Evolution, Microbiology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Neuroscience and Plants & Food Security). Researchers are at the cutting edge of knowledge, working on solutions to some of today’s toughest challenges. While much of our research begins with concepts at a fundamental level SoBS is passionate about using the findings to make a real impact on the world around us.

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

You will be offered a permanent position at the end of your apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: