Apprentice Laboratory & Facilities Assistant
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Company: University of Oxford
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Location: Oxford, OX3 9DU
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £26,686.00 per year
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Sector: Health and science
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Ref: NAS-2000054883
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Application Deadline Date: 13/10/2026
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Start Date: 04/01/2027
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Core working hours are 10am to 4pm, with precise working hours to be agreed (e.g. 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm).
Brief Description
You will work as an Apprentice Laboratory & Facilities Assistant, working across the RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine to assist Laboratory/Operations Managers and Facilities Teams in the safe and smooth running of the department’s scientific and clinical research areas.
Training to be Provided
You will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with an Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' training provider, CSR Scientific Training, which will include:
- Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
- On-the-job competency training
- Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science or Level 4 HNC (depending on prior attainment)
The majority of your learning will be completed online once a week with some face-to-face practical sessions/exams in Birmingham (if BTEC or HNC is included).
Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.
Future Prospects
People completing similar apprenticeships usually progress to a Laboratory, Facilities and/or Safety Management role either within the University of Oxford (where there are defined career paths for such roles), within other higher education institutions or in industrial settings
Vacancy Detail
All tasks will be at a level appropriate to your developing skills. Under the guidance of Laboratory and Operations Managers, you will support research across the RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, including:
- Overseeing laboratory housekeeping, following relevant Health and Safety procedures to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
- Distributing incoming goods to end users in research laboratories and maintaining shared stocks of chemicals and consumables.
- Learning to manage disposal of hazardous chemical waste.
- Conducting regular visual inspections, identifying and reporting faults and hazards to Laboratory and Operations Managers, and requesting minor repairs (e.g. via the University’s PLANON system).
- Directly carrying out routine maintenance and cleaning of scientific equipment (e.g. centrifuges, ULT freezers) and supervising external contractors (e.g. service engineers).
- Assisting with maintenance of laboratory and facilities administration records, including asset registers, and calibration/service schedules; to include learning facilities management software and digital reporting tools, e.g. PLANON.
- Undertaking relevant training on, and keeping up to date with, Good Laboratory Practice, laboratory and clinical Health and Safety, HASAWA, COSHH and other relevant regulations.
- Assisting with safety inspections, fire alarm tests, emergency lighting checks, and evacuation drills.
- Liaising with departmental colleagues, Facilities Teams, external contractors, and other stakeholders to share information and ensure service standards are maintained.
Other Information
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