Apprentice Laboratory Operations Assistant

WILD BIOSCIENCE LTD

ABINGDON (OX14 4SA)

Closes in 29 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 14 May 2026

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Summary

Join Wild Bio, an Oxford University spin out, as a Lab Technician Apprentice supporting cutting edge crop science research. You’ll carry out essential lab processes, prepare materials and equipment, support scientific teams and help improve lab operations in a fast paced environment focused on sustainable agriculture and climate impact

Wage

£26,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary will be reviewed during annual performance reviews

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Detailed responsibilities

You will undertake routine laboratory operational work in all our sites including:

  • Autoclaving
  • Glassware cleaning
  • Processing goods in items ensuring appropriate steps are taken with regards COSHH, stock control and communication with the broader team
  • Prepare and aliquot stocks for the team, including water, media and buffers
  • Ensure the stock is available for the team, as well as inventory control to ensure stocks are maintained
  • Arrange shipments and pickups
  • Have a proactive approach to health and safety, ensuring best practices are adhered to
  • Coordinate deep cleaning of equipment as well as the weekly cleaning with the lab user
  • Waste disposal
  • General tidy up
  • Support with troubleshooting issues in the lab and facilities, together with other members of the operations team

Where you'll work

115K OLYMPIC AVENUE
MILTON PARK
MILTON
ABINGDON
OX14 4SA

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 

Training will be delivered online with one site visit by a vocational skills coach to assess you in the workplace.

Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the 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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Physical fitness
  • Growth Mindset

Other requirements

  • The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
  • You must have been a UK resident for a minimum of 3 years to be eligible for this position
  • If you already hold a BSc or MSc in a closely related field, you will be ineligible for apprenticeship funding

About this employer

At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies.

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

Company benefits

  • Private medical insurance including dental and optical
  • Pension scheme with a 5% Company contribution
  • Team meals including breakfast on a Monday and lunch each Friday, creating opportunities for team bonding

After this apprenticeship

  • Upon succesful completion there may be opportunities to progress to be a senior technician

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031430.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)