Technician Scientist (Chemistry) Apprenticeship (Level 5 - Higher)
AWE PLC
Berkshire, Swindon
Closes on Sunday 7 December 2025
Posted on 9 October 2025
Contents
Summary
As a Technician Scientist (Chemistry) Apprentice at AWE, you will undertake your apprenticeship induction within the Skills Academy; before joining the relevant functional teams based in our laboratories across the AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield sites.
- Wage
-
£23,500 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
• A starting salary of £23,500 yearly, increasing to £25,000 in Year 2 and annually throughout your apprenticeship — subject to meeting key milestones and performance expectations.
- Training course
- Technician scientist (level 5)
- Hours
-
9 day fortnight.
33 hrs on the short week, 8hrs 15 mins per day.
41 hrs on the long week, 8hrs 15 mins per day Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8hrs.
Please note hours may alter due to College training times.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 3 months
- Positions available
-
5
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 be assigned to one of the sub functions either:
- The Warhead and Deterrence Materials Science sub-function which is responsible for the research, testing and analysis of many different materials ranging from warhead components to environmental samples, or
- The Warhead Engineering sub-function which is responsible for product design and prototyping, engineering analysis, systems integration, validation and verification, and is home to a variety of engineers including electronic, mechanical, systems, materials and chemical engineers.
This work is vital in assuring our mission to deliver the warhead is accomplished whilst keeping our people and environment safe.
During the time in placements, you will undertake various laboratory-based tasks which will enable you to develop a complete set of skills and knowledge required to work successfully at AWE.
During your apprenticeship journey, you will learn the following skills:
- Laboratory safety
- Handling of hazardous substances- awareness of radioactive and explosive materials
- Quality and its application in a laboratory environment
- Customer service skills
- Use of laboratory equipment
- Preparation of substances
- Sample preparation
- Analysis of samples
- Data handling
- Checking and reporting of results
In addition, you will also be given the opportunity for personal development through activities such as team building challenges, organisational awareness presentations, health and safety workshops and charity projects.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR
- New College Swindon Training Only, New College Drive, Swindon, SN3 1AH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NEW COLLEGE SWINDON
Training course
Technician scientist (level 5)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify potential scientific techniques to meet defined objectives.
- Review and select appropriate scientific techniques to undertake required tasks (consider risk management, safe working practices, equipment availability, quality standards, the environment, and sustainability).
- Source and calibrate specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
- Plan and perform laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using scientific techniques, procedures, and methods relevant to the role.
- Systematically obtain information when conducting scientific experiments.
- Record and store data in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to the development or improvement of processes and methodologies and support their implementation into the business as part of a wider team.
- Use data analysis tools and software packages to process or produce reliable, accurate data or information.
- Interpret scientific data to inform actions or recommendations and escalate where required.
- Present the results of scientific work to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
- Plan and prioritise own tasks and complete work to schedule whilst maintaining compliance with internal and external requirements.
- Contribute to recommendations, improvements, or scientific solutions to meet the requirements of internal or external customers.
- Identify, develop or contribute to solutions to technical problems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and identify results requiring further investigation or escalation.
- Keeps up to date with advances in scientific and sector working practices and technologies. Shares best practice across the team.
- Identify potential scientific techniques to meet defined objectives.
- Review and select appropriate scientific techniques to undertake required tasks (consider risk management, safe working practices, equipment availability, quality standards, the environment, and sustainability).
- Source and calibrate specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
- Plan and perform laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using scientific techniques, procedures, and methods relevant to the role.
- Systematically obtain information when conducting scientific experiments.
- Record and store data in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to the development or improvement of processes and methodologies and support their implementation into the business as part of a wider team.
- Use data analysis tools and software packages to process or produce reliable, accurate data or information.
- Interpret scientific data to inform actions or recommendations and escalate where required.
- Present the results of scientific work to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
- Plan and prioritise own tasks and complete work to schedule whilst maintaining compliance with internal and external requirements.
- Contribute to recommendations, improvements, or scientific solutions to meet the requirements of internal or external customers.
- Identify, develop or contribute to solutions to technical problems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and identify results requiring further investigation or escalation.
- Keeps up to date with advances in scientific and sector working practices and technologies. Shares best practice across the team.
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over, as of 31st August 2026 due to security clearance requirements Tuesday 1st September 2026 Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 2nd October 2026 due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.
About this employer
We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies. Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security. At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique. Be extraordinary at AWE.
https://www.awe.co.uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
• Generous holiday entitlement of 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off. • Access to employee discounts portal • Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
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
You will out turn into a laboratory technician role within Warhead and Deterrence Materials Science or Warhead Engineering undertaking a variety of lab techniques and processes.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NEW COLLEGE SWINDON
earlycareers@awe.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345297.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 7 December 2025
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