Apprentice Laboratory Technician

University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle (NE2 4HH)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 22 August 2025)

Posted on 29 July 2025

Print

Contents

Summary

As a Laboratory Technician Apprentice, you will support the daily operations of our laboratories. This role involves assisting the technical team with the preparation of practical classes, maintaining laboratory equipment and ensuring a safe working environment. You will gain hands-on experience in various laboratory techniques and procedures.

Wage

£19,302 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

If aged 21 or over, salary will be £23,568

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday. 37 hours per week. Working hours will be set between 8am and 6pm according to business need; with occasional, optional weekend working in support of outreach and engagement activities

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

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

Your key roles and responsibilities will include:

  • Work safely in the lab, keep the area clean and tidy, and follow safety, environmental, and risk management rules
  • Help set up and clear away after lab practical classes
  • Dispose of lab waste properly, following the correct waste management rules
  • Follow quality procedures to meet required standards
  • Get ready for lab tasks using the right scientific techniques and methods
  • Carry out lab tasks by following specific instructions, like Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Use the required lab instruments and equipment correctly, including calibrating them when needed
  • Produce accurate and reliable data, and keep clear records of all lab work and results
  • Look at and interpret data, notice if anything needs more investigation, and ask senior staff for help when needed
  • Share scientific information clearly and use Laboratory Information Management systems properly

Where you'll work

Faculty of Medical Sciences
Newcastle University
Newcastle
NE2 4HH

Training

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

Training provider

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

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

Training schedule

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)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental

About this employer

We are the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). We’re one of the UK’s largest and most successful centres for research-led medical education, with a world-class reputation. Our long and proud history has provided a strong foundation for us to grow and innovate. Through this, we revolutionise healthcare, health research and teaching.

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We will support you with workshops to support you in applying for permanent positions within the university and we hope this will be the start of your long term career journey with us.

We have over 6,000 colleagues and opportunities for you to move into more specialised positions and access further learning.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

Alison Gregory

alison.gregory1@newcastle.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000334167.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 22 August 2025)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.