HR and Recruitment Coordinator Apprentice

THE ROSALIND FRANKLIN INSTITUTE

DIDCOT (OX11 0FA)

Closes in 18 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 September 2026

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Summary

Join a friendly HR team supporting world-leading life science research. As our HR & Recruitment Coordinator Apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience in recruitment, onboarding and employee support, taking on real responsibility from day one while learning valuable HR skills with guidance from experienced professionals.

Wage

£21,158 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
HR support (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am- 5 pm with flexibility around start and end times.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 8 October 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

  • Coordinating recruitment process
  • Coordinating the full employee lifecycle
  • PhD student onboarding and offboarding
  • Vetting and pre-employment screening of staff
  • Payroll support
  • Employee benefits management support
  • Managing employee site passes
  • Maintaining HR inbox and dealing with the queries from employees and managers
  • Preparing employment related letters and responding to reference requests
  • Monitoring and assisting managers with the probation process
  • Review and improvement of internal policies and processes
  • Any other appropriate task as required within the remit of the HR function 

Where you'll work

RUTHERFORD APPLETON LABORATORY
HARWELL SCIENCE & INNOVATION CAMPUS
DIDCOT
OX11 0FA

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Training course

HR support (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Service Delivery: Delivers excellent customer service on a range of HR queries and requirements, providing solutions, advice and support primarily to managers. Builds managers’ expertise in HR matters, improving their ability to handle repeated situations themselves where appropriate. Uses agreed systems and processes to deliver service to customers. Takes the initiative to meet agreed individual and team KPIs in line with company policy, values, standards. Plans and organises their work, often without direct supervision, to meet commitments and KPIs.
  • Problem Solving: Uses sound questioning and active listening skills to understand requirements and establish root causes before developing HR solutions. Takes ownership through to resolution, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
  • Communication & Interpersonal: Deals effectively with customers/colleagues, using sound interpersonal skills and communicating well through a range of media eg phone, face to face, email, internet. Adapts their style to their audience. Builds trust and sound relationships with customers. Handles conflict and sensitive HR situations professionally and confidentially.
  • Teamwork: Consistently supports colleagues /collaborates within the team and HR to achieve results. Builds/maintains strong working relationships with others in the team and across HR where necessary.
  • Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve HR performance and service; acts on them within the authority of their role. Supports implementation of HR changes/projects with the business.
  • Managing HR Information: Maintains required HR records as part of services delivered. Prepares reports and management information from HR data, with interpretation as required.
  • Personal Development: Keeps up to date with business changes and HR legal/policy/process changes relevant to their role. Seeks feedback and acts on it to improve their performance and overall capability.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

Apprenticeship Onboarding Session and Eligibility Checks:  

Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon & Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete some eligibility checks. This will consist of a series of initial assessments and an interview with the team. There will be the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and for any questions you might have. You may also be required to attend an Apprenticeship Onboarding Session at Witney, Abingdon or Bicester campus.  

This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.  

As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216.     

Qualification checks: 

By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.   

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2026. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Initiative
  • Interest in a career in HR
  • Willingness to learn & develop

Other requirements

  • 3 to 5 GCSEs (including English and maths)
  • Must be able to travel to Harwell campus at least 3 days per week

About this employer

The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a technology institute for life science, creating innovative technologies that transform our understanding of life. 
 
Our technologies create collaborations and new avenues in life science, which will lead to new therapeutics and advance our understanding of human biology. 

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

Company benefits

  • 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
  • Additional time off between Christmas and New year
  • Access to staff discount platform
  • Bus pass discount
  • Life Assurance
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Generous pension scheme
  • Cycle to work Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme with counselling

    *some benefits are subject to eligibility.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • No initial plans in place for progression, but this will be reviewed before the end of the apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051631.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Friday 25 September 2026 at 11:59pm)