Degree Apprenticeship Laboratory Technician, Leeds Electron Microscopy And Spectroscopy Centre
University of Leeds
Leeds (LS2 9JT)
Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)
Posted on 18 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an apprentice, eager to start their career as a Laboratory Research Technician. As an apprentice you will provide support to the X-ray Analytical Facilities in the Faculty of Engineering Physical Sciences. The right apprentice will have a technical mindset and a passion for science and technology.
- Wage
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£25,249 a year
- Training course
- Scientist (level 6)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm, with one hour for lunch.
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
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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
As an Apprentice Laboratory Technician, your main duties will include:
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Providing support in the Leeds Electron Microscopy And Spectroscopy centre(LEMAS) facilities
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Taking personal responsibility for the preparation of materials and specimens to be analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM) techniques
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Being responsible for routine calibration and basic maintenance of equipment and will take an active role in training new users
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Logging laboratory usage for accounting purposes
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Maintaining records of consumable levels and equipment, and purchase requisition stock to maintain an acceptable level
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Being responsible for the safe disposal of hazardous waste within specified guidelines
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Taking part in regular team meetings
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Working in accordance with health and safety procedures, hazard, risk, COSHH assessments and local policies and procedures
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Undertaking manual handling of laboratory equipment and movement of gas cylinders, using correct manual handling processes
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Engaging fully with the relevant training courses for the apprenticeship and actively engaging in learning during the course of your day-to-day role
These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.
Where you'll work
Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Training course
Scientist (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
- Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
- Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
- Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
- Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
- Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
- Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
- Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
- Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
- Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
- Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
- Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
- Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
- Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
- Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
- Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
- Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
- Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
- Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
- Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
- Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.
- Apply chemical concepts and theories to investigations.
- Design, develop and carry out chemical science investigations.
- Recommend synthetic pathways to target-compounds and design experimental activities to test predictions.
- Design and deploy purification, isolation and characterisation strategies, taking account of physicochemical properties of elements and compounds.
- Design, develop and carry out qualitative and quantitative sample preparation, chemical measurement, and analysis.
- Critically compare the results of theoretical or computational modelling with those from experiment and observation.
- Apply physics theories to solve problems that cross scientific discipline boundaries.
- Apply computational techniques to analysis and model physical behaviour.
- Apply physics concepts and theories to investigations.
- Design, develop and carry out physics based investigations.
- Use mathematical techniques and theories to solve physics problems.
- Use computer programming software to solve physics based problems.
- Critically analyse current and emerging developments in the biosciences and the contribution of Biosciences to the wider industry.
- Apply Biological concepts and theories to investigations.
- Design, develop and carry out biological investigations
- Perform tasks related to sample preparation and culturing techniques.
- Use of laboratory automation systems.
- Perform sampling with consideration for sample variation.
- Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
- Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
- Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
- Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
- Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
- Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
- Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
- Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
- Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
- Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
- Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
- Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
- Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
- Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
- Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
- Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
- Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
- Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
- Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
- Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
- Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.
Training schedule
- Apprentices work full-time whilst studying towards a BSc (Hons) Scientist (Chemical Science) degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a Level 6-degree apprenticeship
- Students study a tutor-supported e-distance learning curriculum and attend residential schools. The work-based projects, negotiated with employers, offer students the opportunity to apply their learning directly to their organisation
- The programme is primarily taught through tutor-supported online study, part-time over four years
- Apprentices will attend a two-day induction at the University to help them get to know each other and balance undergraduate study with working full-time
- They will also attend a week-long residential at our campus in central Manchester once a year, in addition to a two-day mini-residential in the first year
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Record-keeping skills
- Ability to follow procedures
- Practical, hands on mindset
Other requirements
- Due to the requirements for the apprenticeship course, we cannot appoint anyone to this position who has a qualification in the field of Chemistry, Physics and/or Biology at Level 6 or above, or an equivalent qualification.
- Manual handling, including moving laboratory equipment and gas cylinders
- Working with hazardous chemicals, biological samples and materials that require strict safety protocols
- Handling hazardous waste, which must be disposed of following regulations
- Possible work in confined or equipment‑dense lab areas, typical of analytical science spaces
- Maintaining rigorous documentation and cleanliness standards
About this employer
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest and most highly regarded institutions, known for world‑class teaching, impactful research and a strong culture of integrity, inclusion and community. As an employer, it offers a supportive environment with extensive professional development opportunities and a commitment to social responsibility, making it an attractive place to work and grow.
Bragg Centre for Materials Research
The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, located in the state‑of‑the‑art Sir William Henry Bragg Building, is a leading hub for interdisciplinary materials science, bringing together experts across engineering, physics, chemistry and related fields to drive innovation from atomic‑scale fabrication to advanced analytical techniques. Its world‑class laboratories, cleanrooms and research facilities create an exceptional workplace for apprentices, providing hands‑on technical training, exposure to cutting‑edge equipment and the opportunity to work alongside leading researchers and technical professionals.
http://www.leeds.ac.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
We have a relaxed dress code. On site Gym. Large Technical Community
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This is a 5-year post with possible progression to a full time technical role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
s.l.myers@leeds.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037765.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.