Summary
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Scientists at Blackley who develop speciality chemicals to improve the aesthetics and durability of inks, coatings and composites. You’ll complete a Level 6 Laboratory Scientist apprenticeship over 4 years, receiving on the job training and development alongside studying for a BSc Honours degree.
Wage
£16,000 a year
Training course
Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)
Hours
Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, with half an hour lunch break.
40 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 1 September
Duration
4 years
Positions available
2
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
* You’ll gain experience in a range of laboratories at our site in Blackley and develop a broad understanding of our chemistries, the test and technique fundamentals that are used to characterise and qualify them, along with an analytical mindset to create fundamental knowledge and critical problem-solving skills. You’ll be working as part of our team on real projects providing a high standard of laboratory work that supports the requests of our stakeholders.
* You’ll develop technical and business knowledge to build a solid foundation for your future career and be given the opportunity to train at a level that matches your technical experience as you progress through the Apprenticeship.
* Alongside your work-based learning you’ll study towards your BSc (Hons) Laboratory Scientist (Chemical Science) degree with Manchester Metropolitan University.
* The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate good attention to detail, a flexible approach to their work and be an open communicator.
* What you will be doing:
* Learning through our development programme and appointed mentors
* Providing support to tactical and strategic projects across the departmental operation
* Building your knowledge and practical skills to be an effective contributor
* Demonstrating the capabilities, you have learnt to further enhance the programme
* Develop and grow a project management and communication mindset
* Provide your thoughts and ideas on topics when opportunities arise
* Look for opportunities to continuously improve safety, quality and efficiency
* Look to promote the company, the department and yourself
* Who we are looking for:
* Eagerness to learn and develop in different parts of laboratory practices
* Be comfortable with and interested in working within a laboratory
* Good written and verbal communication skills, including telephone skills
* Accurate data entry skills and keen attention to detail
* Good general organisational skills, including planning and prioritisation
* A good working knowledge of Microsoft packages, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Where you’ll work
Hexagon Tower
Crumpsall Vale
Manchester
M9 8GQ
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
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Your training course
Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
* Identify and use the scientific approaches appropriate to one specialist discipline required to solve problems, support new investigations and follow-up experiments in the laboratory.
* Appraise scientific experimentation, independently design and implement new processes according to relevant literature and other data sources interrogated using data mining techniques and input from colleagues.
* Support appraisal of scientific experimentation with numerical and statistical analysis.
* Work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results of laboratory work and problem solving clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
* Comply with regulations including compliance with business rules pertaining to record keeping, data integrity, traceability & confidentiality.
* Promote and ensure the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the workplace in own work and the work of others.
* Use creative thinking and problem solving techniques such as root cause analysis, to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
* Autonomously plan and prioritise tasks, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios.
* Contribute to the development of specific technical projects across multi-disciplinary teams.
* Ensure that targets are met and maintained, within own area of responsibility, whilst complying with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
* Lead continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment using process mapping & analysis and root cause analysis that is informed by other appropriate principles, such as lean, six sigma, project and change management.
Your training plan
* Apprentices work full-time whilst studying towards a BSc (Hons) Laboratory 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:
* Maths & English (grade A*-C/9-4)
A Level in:
* Various (with one being Chemistry) (grade BCC (104 UCAS Points))
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
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Analytical skills
* Team working
* Written skills
Other requirements
Lubrizol is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from a diverse range of applicants. All applicants will be considered entirely on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Our application process is very straightforward, simply create a short profile and upload your CV and cover letter. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship.