Apprentice Nuclear Laboratory Scientist
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Company: THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
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Location: Greater Manchester, M13 9PL
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £23,414.00 per year
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Sector: Health and science
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Ref: NAS-2000030181
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Application Deadline Date: 22/07/2026
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Start Date: 07/09/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: 35 Hours a week with 1 hour for lunch. Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm.
Brief Description
At the University of Manchester, we are meeting the demands of an evolving civil and defence nuclear industry. This Level 6 apprenticeship will provide you with the skills and knowledge to support the world class research carried out in our nuclear research laboratories and take your career, with our full support, to the next level.
Training to be Provided
In addition to your level 6 apprenticeship qualification, we offer a unique and diverse programme of training with a wide range of certified qualifications such as, Hons Degree in Chemistry, (IOSH) working safely, (COSHH), WorldSkills UK competition entry and further internal courses spanning Cryogenics, Safe Use of Laboratory Gases, Laser safety, soft skills and professional development.
The initial training is deliberately broad to teach a wide range of technical competencies allowing you time to learn and grow within an everchanging Science and Engineering environment.
Later in your programme you will learn to undertake key procedures, supporting research, teaching, and infrastructure surrounding a nuclear research area provision.
You will spend a mixture of time working alongside our specialists to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Nuclear Scientist, whilst attending a local university to complete your degree. We will provide you with all the necessary equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice.
Future Prospects
Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 5 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key nuclear science skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience.
Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent position at the University of Manchester, we endeavour to match apprentices with appropriate vacancies and support them through the entire application process.
Vacancy Detail
Day to day duties will include, but not be limited to the following throughout training:
Learn scientific techniques and how to operate specialist equipment such as:
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Liquid Scintillation Counting
- Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
- Raman Spectroscopy
- Particle size characterisation
- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)
- Rheometry
- Operate gloveboxes, to support handling radioactive and hazardous materials
Plus more:
- Perform experiments using a wide range of specialist equipment
- Analyse the data from experiments
- Provide support to others for operation of equipment
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues whilst maintaining services, and safety
- Ensure equipment safety and accurancy through routine inspections, calibration, maintenance and repairs
- Prepare solutions, samples, and standards for instrumental analysis and experimentation, across an exciting and wide range of areas
- Provide technical support to staff and students using the nuclear laboratories as well as research and commercial activities taking place throughout the year
- Keep records up to date, for using radioactive and hazardous materials in line with legislation
- Record servicing details across experimental and safety equipment
- Write risk assessments, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments, and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to improve processes and reduce risk
- Contribute to the LEAF accreditation processes of our laboratories
Other Information
IMPORTANT note: Due to regulatory and national security requirements associated with the nature of the work, this role is restricted to individuals who hold British nationality from birth.This restriction is necessary to meet compliance obligations related to working in a sensitive nuclear research area.
Successful applicants may be required to apply and obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate and appropriate security clearances depending on the nature of the research areas this role will support.
Live within a commutable distance of the workplace - ideally Greater Manchester or immediate surrounding areas.
Produce certificates from prior qualifications, or expected grades for approval onto the programme.