Apprentice Nuclear Laboratory Scientist
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester (M13 9PL)
Closes on Wednesday 22 July 2026
Posted on 7 May 2026
Contents
Summary
At the University of Manchester, we are meeting the demands of an evolving civil and defence nuclear industry. This Level 6 apprenticeship will provide you with the skills and knowledge to support the world class research carried out in our nuclear research laboratories and take your career, with our full support, to the next level.
- Wage
-
£23,414 a year
- Training course
- Scientist (level 6)
- Hours
-
35 Hours a week with 1 hour for lunch. Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
5 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
Day to day duties will include, but not be limited to the following throughout training:
Learn scientific techniques and how to operate specialist equipment such as:
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Liquid Scintillation Counting
- Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
- Raman Spectroscopy
- Particle size characterisation
- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)
- Rheometry
- Operate gloveboxes, to support handling radioactive and hazardous materials
Plus more:
- Perform experiments using a wide range of specialist equipment
- Analyse the data from experiments
- Provide support to others for operation of equipment
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues whilst maintaining services, and safety
- Ensure equipment safety and accurancy through routine inspections, calibration, maintenance and repairs
- Prepare solutions, samples, and standards for instrumental analysis and experimentation, across an exciting and wide range of areas
- Provide technical support to staff and students using the nuclear laboratories as well as research and commercial activities taking place throughout the year
- Keep records up to date, for using radioactive and hazardous materials in line with legislation
- Record servicing details across experimental and safety equipment
- Write risk assessments, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments, and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to improve processes and reduce risk
- Contribute to the LEAF accreditation processes of our laboratories
Where you'll work
Oxford Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M13 9PL
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
In addition to your level 6 apprenticeship qualification, we offer a unique and diverse programme of training with a wide range of certified qualifications such as, Hons Degree in Chemistry, (IOSH) working safely, (COSHH), WorldSkills UK competition entry and further internal courses spanning Cryogenics, Safe Use of Laboratory Gases, Laser safety, soft skills and professional development.
The initial training is deliberately broad to teach a wide range of technical competencies allowing you time to learn and grow within an everchanging Science and Engineering environment.
Later in your programme you will learn to undertake key procedures, supporting research, teaching, and infrastructure surrounding a nuclear research area provision.
You will spend a mixture of time working alongside our specialists to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Nuclear Scientist, whilst attending a local university to complete your degree. We will provide you with all the necessary equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice.
More training information
You will spend 80% of your time working at the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL where you will learn all the skills and behaviours asssociated with a nuclear laboratory scientist role. During this period you will work on a portfolio of evidence to show your ability and meet the criteria within your apprenticeships skills and behaviours.
One day per week, or in short blocks of 5 days, you will attend Manchester Metropolitain University (MMU) undertaking the academic element of your apprenticeship - Laboratory Scientist Level 6 (Degree course with honours).
Additional support will be given during 1-1s, progress reviews, training, pastoral, and colleague benefits whilst developing on your apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
A Level in:
- Chemistry (grade C or above)
- two other A-level areas in STEM (grade C or above)
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Passion for Science
Other requirements
IMPORTANT note: Due to regulatory and national security requirements associated with the nature of the work, this role is restricted to individuals who hold British nationality from birth.This restriction is necessary to meet compliance obligations related to working in a sensitive nuclear research area.
Successful applicants may be required to apply and obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate and appropriate security clearances depending on the nature of the research areas this role will support.
Live within a commutable distance of the workplace - ideally Greater Manchester or immediate surrounding areas.
Produce certificates from prior qualifications, or expected grades for approval onto the programme.
About this employer
One of the world’s leading universities built on research and teaching practices, coupled with one of the most respected apprenticeship programmes in the UK. Our programme builds its success’s year-on-year and continues to develop, matching the needs of the university and our community. We are proud of our strong reputation, supporting each of our apprentices with individualised training, specialised projects, and targeted development to build a future career at the cutting edge of technology.
Company benefits
23 Days leave (+ bank hols/closure days), pension, travel loan, cycle to work, staff discounts, childcare, sport/gym and wellbeing support.
After this apprenticeship
Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 5 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key nuclear science skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience.
Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent position at the University of Manchester, we endeavour to match apprentices with appropriate vacancies and support them through the entire application process.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Apprenticeships TAP recruitment
Apprenticeships@manchester.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030181.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 22 July 2026