Apprentice Technical Assistant (Laboratory Scientist - Bioscience)

QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED

Manchester (M13 0BH)

Closes in 16 days (Friday 21 November 2025)

Posted on 4 November 2025

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Summary

QIAGEN Manchester is a world leading centre for molecular diagnostic applications focusing in the areas of personalized healthcare in oncology and infectious disease. We have a diverse, collaborative, safe and engaging team and is a fantastic choice to begin a rewarding career.

• Wage:

  £23,810 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary is set as National Minimum Wage, but with additional benefits such as annual bonus.

• Training course: Scientist (level 6)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm. Overtime is occasionally offered on a voluntary basis.

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  4 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

• Carrying out the practical elements of studies which can include: sample ordering, sample receipt, DNA and RNA extraction using manual extraction kits and or automated instruments; PCR manual setup and or using automated instruments; Gel electrophoresis; NGS Library preparation; Sequencing; Precision serial dilutions; Handling and processing of biological samples
• Conducting general maintenance and lab safety activities (equipment maintenance, consumable orders, receipt of material, lab stocking, housekeeping and similar activities)
• Support the planning, execution and reporting of laboratory work and experiments
• Accurate recording of laboratory work and experiments in laboratory notebooks or worksheets
• Adherence to COSHH and Health & Safety requirements
• Working as part of the product development team to ensure a safe and efficient laboratory environment

Where you'll work

Qiagen Manchester Ltd
CityLabs 2.0
Manchester
M13 0BH

Training

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

Training provider

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Training course

Scientist (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
• Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
• Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
• Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
• Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
• Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
• Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
• Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
• Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
• Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
• Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
• Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
• Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
• Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
• Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
• Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
• Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
• Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
• Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.
• Apply chemical concepts and theories to investigations.
• Design, develop and carry out chemical science investigations.
• Recommend synthetic pathways to target-compounds and design experimental activities to test predictions.
• Design and deploy purification, isolation and characterisation strategies, taking account of physicochemical properties of elements and compounds.
• Design, develop and carry out qualitative and quantitative sample preparation, chemical measurement, and analysis.
• Critically compare the results of theoretical or computational modelling with those from experiment and observation.
• Apply physics theories to solve problems that cross scientific discipline boundaries.
• Apply computational techniques to analysis and model physical behaviour.
• Apply physics concepts and theories to investigations.
• Design, develop and carry out physics based investigations.
• Use mathematical techniques and theories to solve physics problems.
• Use computer programming software to solve physics based problems.
• Critically analyse current and emerging developments in the biosciences and the contribution of Biosciences to the wider industry.
• Apply Biological concepts and theories to investigations.
• Design, develop and carry out biological investigations
• Perform tasks related to sample preparation and culturing techniques.
• Use of laboratory automation systems.
• Perform sampling with consideration for sample variation.
• Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
• Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
• Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
• Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
• Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
• Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
• Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
• Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
• Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
• Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
• Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
• Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
• Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
• Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
• Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
• Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
• Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
• Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
• Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.

Training schedule

Laboratory Scientist (degree) Apprenticeship Standard:

• Training will be offered in goods receipt, research and development, Design Control, and professional workplace behaviour
• This is via multiple learning methods, such as reading methodology, face to face training, practical hands on trainig, and coaching from experienced members of staff.
• The split between learning and working can be flexible but we typically offer one day a week release for study days
• The position is for 4 years, after which successful candidates will achieve a BSc (Hons) Bioscience degree from MMU

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A*-C / 9-4)
• Maths (grade A*-C / 9-4)

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
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Satisfy Manchester Metropolitan University Laboratory Scientist (Bioscience) Apprenticeship Entry requirements. Developing diagnostic assays is within a regulated industry to maintain quality of product and thus patient safety. Successful candidates must have great attention to detail, ability to understand and adhere to standard operating procedures, and maintain high quality records. Training and guidance will be given throughout the apprenticeship.

About this employer

QIAGEN serves more than 500,000 customers around the globe, all seeking answers from the building blocks of life – DNA, RNA and proteins. We deliver Sample to Insight solutions for molecular testing, propelling our customers from start to finish to unlock new insights. This is how we make improvements in life possible.

https://www.qiagen.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Annual Bonus, gym membership payments, dental and healthcare plans.

After this apprenticeship

Following completion of the apprenticeship this leads to progression in the Scientific Specialist track.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED

Lucy Colgan

lucy.colgan@qiagen.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349483.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 21 November 2025)

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