Laboratory Technician Apprentice

MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

PLYMOUTH (PL1 2PB)

Closes in 20 days (Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 May 2026

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Summary

Join the MBA as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice! You’ll develop practical scientific and technical skills while supporting cutting-edge research projects focused on understanding ocean health and the impacts of climate change. Gain hands-on experience in the use of scientific equipment and maintenance and laboratory techniques.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£8 per hour in the first year.

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm. Hours may vary depending on laboratory requirements, including some early starts.

37 hours 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

You will work in a variety of our laboratories across the science programme, from Ecology and Plankton Taxonomy laboratories, to our Marine Microbiome Centre.

Occasional seagoing and research aquarium work may be required.

Some of your daily duties will include:

  • Help the Laboratory Manager and other science staff to facilitate the continuity and the smooth running of research projects
  • Work closely with the Laboratory Manager and other staff to ensure that the research facilities and equipment are functioning correctly
  • Learn to liaise with company representatives when ordering equipment and supplies to try and obtain the most cost effective and reliable source
  • Assist with sub-culturing of the MBA’s algal culture collection, including periodic microscopic examination and reporting
  • Help maintain adequate stocks of everyday laboratory items, including the updating of relevant records
  • Support with stock and stores including goods in/out
  • Learn how to be responsible for the control of substances hazardous to health (CoSHH)
  • To be responsible for day-to-day laboratory housekeeping duties including sea-water filtration, waste management, media preparation and washing up (e.g. laboratory glass and plastic-ware)
  • Operation of autoclave and other sterilisation equipment for making-safe waste for disposal, sterilisation of glass, plastic-ware and liquid media
  • Preparation and testing of samples using basic and advanced instrument techniques (training provided)
  • Accurate data entry and use of IT systems as and when required
  • Maintaining general lab cleanliness including removal of waste material to appropriate waste bins
  • Working in accordance with agreed procedures, protocols and the safety management system
  • Providing feedback and raising any concerns with managers or other reporting procedures
  • Undertaking any additional miscellaneous duties, as directed by the Laboratory Manager, including occasional reception cover and assisting with set up for courses or events

Where you'll work

THE LABORATORY
CITADEL HILL
PLYMOUTH
PL1 2PB

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)

A Level in:

Science, pref Biology or Environmental Science (grade C)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the laboratory with some early starts necessary
  • 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 including but not limited to, Marine Biology, you will be ineligible for apprenticeship funding
  • Seagoing experience would be beneficial in the event of any need to provide technician support on the Research Vessel

About this employer

From the seashore to the seafloor, we’re on a voyage to discover more about our ocean and all aspects of sea life. The MBA is a Learned Society that hosts a research laboratory with Members in over 50 countries.  From 1884 to today, the vital in-depth scientific research of our marine science community has helped us better understand the intricate, interconnected marine environment - one that we all depend on every day.  From marine heatwaves to marine megafauna and the marine microbiome. 

https://www.mba.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

With the broad experience and research supported during this apprenticeship, it is expected that the candidate would have the potential to secure a Laboratory Technician position with skills that would apply to numerous scientific organisations with future progression through to more advanced or specialist technician roles in the future.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033656.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 11:59pm)