Apprentice Technical Assistant
QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED
Manchester (M13 0BH)
Closes in 18 days (Monday 23 November 2026)
Posted on 5 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Start your career in molecular diagnostics as an Apprentice Technical Assistant at QIAGEN Manchester. Gain experience in DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and next-generation sequencing while contributing to R&D projects. You’ll also complete a degree apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University, with full training and support.
- Wage
-
£25,700 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary will increase in line with minimum wage increases
- Training course
- Scientist (level 6)
- Hours
-
Typical office hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with some flexibility.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
4 years 4 months
- Positions available
-
2
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
- Carry out the practical elements of studies which can include: DNA and RNA extraction using manual extraction kits and or automated instruments; PCR manual setup and or using automated instruments; NGS library preparation; Sequencing; Precision serial dilutions; Handling and processing of biological samples
- Conduct general maintenance and lab safety activities (equipment maintenance, consumable orders, receipt of material, lab stocking, housekeeping and similar activities)
- Support the planning, execution and reporting of laboratory work and experiments
- Accurate recording of laboratory work and experiments in laboratory notebooks or worksheets
- Adherence to COSHH and Health & Safety requirements
- Work as part of the product development team to ensure a safe and efficient laboratory environment
Where you'll work
Qiagen Manchester Ltd
CityLabs 2.0
Manchester
M13 0BH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE 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
Your apprenticeship is the start of your career, and we’ll support you every step of the way. You’ll learn through hands-on experience, training and support from experienced colleagues. As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll have opportunities to take on new challenges and prepare for the next steps in your career.
More training information
The degree 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 skills bootcamp at our campus in central Manchester once a year, in addition to a two-day mini-skills bootcamp in the first year.
They will complete projects in their workplace, tackling challenges relevant to their employer and applying their learning directly to their organisation and its business context.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade A*-C / 9-4)
- English (grade A*-C / 9-4)
Meet MMU entry requirements 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
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
QIAGEN is a global science and healthcare company helping scientists and healthcare professionals understand DNA, RNA and proteins. Our technologies are used in laboratories around the world to support research, develop new medicines and help detect diseases. By joining QIAGEN, you’ll be part of a company using science to make a real difference to people’s lives.
https://www.qiagen.com/us (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Eligible for company bonus
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Your degree apprenticeship can open the door to a range of careers in science. You could progress into an Associate Scientist or Scientist role, continue building your laboratory and technical skills, or specialise in an area of science that interests you.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
QIAGEN MANCHESTER LIMITED
Lucy Colgan
lucy.colgan@qiagen.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062775.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Monday 23 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.