Summary
Through this apprenticeship, not only you will learn practical microbiology skills, data analysis and reporting, experimental troubleshooting, as well as lab management, you will also have the opportunity to make a real impact on a rapidly expanding company, one of the fastest growing D2C businesses of its kind.
Wage
£20,000 a year
Increasing to £24,000 in the second year of the apprenticeship
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
This post is a 2-year fixed term position, typically lab-based, consisting of 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm) with flexibility depending on assay/experiment requirements
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Possible start date
Monday 3 March
Duration
2 years
Positions available
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
Your key responsibilities in this role will include:
1. To support Symprove’s R&D projects through:
* Routine microbiological testing on product samples
* Ad hoc testing of production and R&D samples
* Accurate reporting and recording of test results
* Processing sample data and supporting the Microbiology Product Scientist with data analysis
* Communicating progress of on-going R&D projects, drafting project reports, contributing to project meetings, and presenting R&D results in written and oral formats as appropriate.
2. To contribute to the day-to-day running of a microbiology laboratory ensuring ‘lab readiness’ through:
* Managing good levels of consumables inventory
* Restocking lab media
* Performing routine equipment calibration and maintenance
* Maintaining general lab cleanliness and tidiness
3. To complete coursework elements from the apprenticeship training provider to a good standard
Where you’ll work
SANDY FARM
SANDS ROAD
THE SANDS
FARNHAM
GU10 1PX
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED
Your training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
* Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
* Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
* Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
* Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
* Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
* Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
* Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
* Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
* Complete documentation proficiently
* Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
* Contribute to the preparation of reports.
* Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
* Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
* Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
* Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
* Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
* Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
* Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
* Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
* Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
* Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
* Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
* Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
* Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
* Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
* Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
* Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
* Complete documentation proficiently
* Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
* Contribute to the preparation of reports.
* Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
* Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
* Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
* Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
* Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
* Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
* Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
* Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Your training plan
Through the training provider, CSR Scientific Training, you will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship which will include:
* Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
* On-the-job competency training
* Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science (if required)
The majority of your learning will be completed online once a week with some face-to-face practical sessions/exams (if completing BTEC) in Sutton Coldfield.
Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* 2 more GCSEs (grade 4)
* English (grade 4)
* Maths (grade 4)
* Science (grade 4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills