Apprentice Materials Scientist
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Greater Manchester (M13 9PL)
Closes on Wednesday 15 July 2026
Posted on 5 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Start your career as a Materials Scientist through an apprenticeship in our Faculty of Science & Engineering. Build a strong skills portfolio supporting laboratories across synthesis, characterisation, and testing. You’ll gain hands-on expertise in XRD, SEM, AFM, spectroscopy, and testing using our world-class facilities.
- Wage
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£25,249 a year
- Training course
- Materials science technologist (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.(Variable times to suit workplace requirements). 1 hour for lunch.
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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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
Service and upkeep materials and science equipment, glassware, consumables, and sample preparation tools.
Ensure safe working order, proper storage, and accurate cataloguing.
Perform basic maintenance on lab apparatus. Liaise with equipment manufacturers or external service engineers to troubleshoot faults and schedule contractor visits, keeping colleagues informed of progress.
Keep labs tidy, orderly, and safe on a daily basis.
Track equipment and consumable stock levels. Raise orders and coordinate with colleagues as needed.
Organise the delivery and disposal of solvents, chemicals, and materials in accordance with relevant regulations.
Monitor consumable gases used in processing and characterisation equipment.
Develop and review operating procedures and safe working practices based on daily observations and growing technical knowledge.
Under the guidance of senior technicians, demonstrate safe equipment operation, basic maintenance, and standard processes to students, staff, and visitors.
Induct users to ensure safe work in controlled or hazardous environments (e.g., clean-rooms, high-temperature labs, fume cupboards).
Identify and resolve straightforward practical issues, such as instrument errors or sample preparation issues. Escalate complex problems to senior colleagues.
Use experience and initiative to execute daily tasks and prioritise your workload with appropriate guidance.
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
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Training course
Materials science technologist (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Utilise cognitive and practical skills in conjunction with adaptability and versatility in technical support both in-house and to clients to improve manufacturing processes, problem solving, innovation, and scale up formulations.
- Determine and use industry standard and emerging digital technologies and data analysis tools to complete work activities and address problems that are ill defined or involve numerous interacting factors.
- Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications.
- Conduct and interpret failure analysis of engineering components using relevant methodologies and systems such as but not limited to, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
- Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports.
- Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback.
- Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
- Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline.
- Utilise emotional intelligence and identify a range of supervisory, management, and leadership skills in developing the ability to mentor, direct or lead teams or individuals.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing.
- Utilise cognitive and practical skills in conjunction with adaptability and versatility in technical support both in-house and to clients to improve manufacturing processes, problem solving, innovation, and scale up formulations.
- Determine and use industry standard and emerging digital technologies and data analysis tools to complete work activities and address problems that are ill defined or involve numerous interacting factors.
- Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications.
- Conduct and interpret failure analysis of engineering components using relevant methodologies and systems such as but not limited to, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
- Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports.
- Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback.
- Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
- Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline.
- Utilise emotional intelligence and identify a range of supervisory, management, and leadership skills in developing the ability to mentor, direct or lead teams or individuals.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing.
Training schedule
To start, we offer a unique 5-year programme filled to the brim with a wide range of technical training across a multitude of skills such as chemical analysis, material science investigation and applications, research techniques, microscopy, and much more.
This training will be underpinned by in-house and external courses such as pipette, centrifuge, cryogenics, COSHH, IOSH training and the list continues. All these skills will be applied to cutting-edge equipment and technology, making this the apprenticeship to beat.
Initial training is deliberately broad to teach a wide range of technical competencies, allowing you time to learn and discover the variety of careers within an ever-changing scientific environment.
You will spend a mixture of time working alongside a day/block release course to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Materials Scientist. We will provide you with all the necessary tools and equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English language (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
A Level 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
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Strong work ethic
- Desire to progress
- Passion for Science
Other requirements
We are strongly committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourage all applicants to apply. Our university is positive about flexible working, blended working arrangements may be considered.
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
Generous annual leave plus closures. Pension for you and your family. Well-being, counselling, and health support. Learning and development opportunities. Transport loans, Cycle to Work schemes. Workplace nursery. Staff discounts online.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 5 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key science and engineering 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. Opportunities to progress onto a higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship exist for high-performing candidates upon completion of their first apprenticeship with us.
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:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
apprenticeships@manchester.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035487.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 15 July 2026