Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship x 2

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research?  Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways.  Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment.  With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage – Forest Research

The Laboratory Apprentice will work towards gaining a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship qualification with the training provider, Kingston College; this qualification is aligned with the professional standards set by the Science Council. The apprentice will be expected to attend Kingston College one day a week (one day release) to undertake the level 3 apprenticeship off-the-job training provided by the college.  The remainder of the time, the apprentice will be completing on-the-job training in the laboratory.  Throughout the duration of the 24-month programme, (with an additional 4 month End Point Assessment (EPA), the Laboratory Apprentice will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected from a competent Laboratory Technician.  The EPA is the final stage that an apprentice goes through to complete their apprenticeship.

Subject to passing the EPA, the Laboratory Technician Apprentice will then be a qualified Laboratory Technician at the end of the apprenticeship scheme.  

These positions will be part of the Tree Health Team based in Alice Holt. Farnham, They will support the Laboratory Manager and Research Assistants with laboratory activities in the main Forest Research laboratories. The activities done in these facilities are at the forefront of science and provide evidence and expertise to facilitate decisions on tree and forest health policy and practices.

The Laboratory Technician Apprentice will:

• work in a supervised capacity, learning how to prepare materials and media for research and diagnostic work
• assist with routine maintenance of equipment, undertake regular cleaning of shared laboratory spaces, and help with disposal of laboratory waste
• learn to monitor usage of laboratory consumables and protective equipment and assist with ordering and restocking of laboratory supplies
• learn how to support the continuing improvement of Health and Safety, and Quality Assurance  

The successful candidate will be enrolled onto a Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with a local training provider Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship – Level 3 (stcg.ac.uk) The academic study will be supplemented by on-the-job training in the Forest Research laboratories. They will work towards gaining the Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship qualification with training provider, Kingston College which is aligned with the professional standards set by Science Council.

Throughout the duration of the 2 year programme, the Laboratory Apprentice will be attending college one day a week (on day release) to develop a portfolio of the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required to demonstrate competent behaviours as a Laboratory Technician.  Subject to passing the assessments conducted by the college, the Laboratory Technician Apprentice will then be a qualified Laboratory Technician at the end of the apprenticeship scheme.   

The apprentice will be attending college one day a week (one day release) to undertake a programme of off-the-job training provided by Kingston College and will work towards the level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship standard. Throughout the duration of the 24-month programme, plus End Point Assessment (EPA), the Laboratory Apprentice will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected from a competent Laboratory Technician. 

The EPA is the final stage that an apprentice goes through to complete their apprenticeship.  Subject to passing the EPA, the Laboratory Technician Apprentice will then be a qualified Laboratory Technician at the end of the scheme.  

Key Work Areas:

• Assisting and supporting biological laboratory activities and staff in the main Forest Research Tree Health laboratories
• Supporting Laboratory Audits, Quality Assurance and Health & Safety procedures within Tree Health
• Contributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties

Specific activities will include the following tasks which will contribute towards a achieving the Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship – Level 3 provided by Kingston College:

1. Work safely in a laboratory, maintaining excellent housekeeping whilst following appropriate health & safety and quality management systems
2. Maintain the laboratory space by ensuring that laboratory spaces are kept clean and tidy, monitor laboratory supplies needed for testing and research activities, and will develop to knowledge to assist with maintenance and calibration of equipment (including the collection of calibration records)
3. Learn to perform laboratory tasks including assisting with the preparation of media and buffers, supporting the maintenance of the biological collections, and assisting with the safe disposal of materials, in accordance with standard operating procedures and keeping accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
4. As you train and develop, analyse, interpret, and evaluate data and identify results requiring further investigation seeking advice of senior colleagues as appropriate
5. Become familiar with processes to update documentation required for Health and Safety, including maintaining and updating the chemicals database and assisting the Health and Safety Coordinator
6. Learn to recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify their causes and achieve solutions as part of the quality management system

Essential Criteria:

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English grades A*/9-C/4
• Experience in a laboratory environment in an educational or work setting
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• The ability to work effectively in a team
• Good standard of verbal and written communication
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages

Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.

Important:

Please note this is a level 3 qualification, please do not apply If you have a Level 3 Laboratory Technician qualification.  

Candidates need to make sure they do not have pre-existing qualifications at the same or higher level in a similar subject as the Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of biology or applied science
• Good at practical tasks

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at 26% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Job contact :

• Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk