Apprentice Technician

Job Title: Apprentice Technician

Posting Start Date: 01/07/2025

Job Id: 1272

School/Department: School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): 20,878.00

Closing Date: 21/07/2025

Overview

The School of Medicine & Population Health seeks to appoint an enthusiastic and ambitious Apprentice Technician who will work within the core technical team to deliver technical and housekeeping support for research and teaching activities across the School. You will undertake a two-year apprenticeship placement to gain a broad base of experience in a variety of life sciences environments and techniques.

In addition, you will combine study and work-based learning to achieve the National Apprenticeship Standard - Laboratory Technician Level 3, which will span the full two years of your apprenticeship placement. You will study one day a week at Barnsley College, with the rest of the week spent working at the University of Sheffield.

You will be provided with regular feedback and opportunities for self-reflection on your performance and progress. You will meet regularly with senior core technical staff and technical managers to discuss your progress and development.

You are expected to demonstrate commitment and meet high standards in both formal learning and work placement. As a work-based qualification, the Apprenticeship Standard – Laboratory Technician Level 3 takes account of performance through formal assessments and records of professional experience. Due to the nature of the working environment, all staff are expected to develop and maintain an awareness of good Health and Safety practices and regulations.

You will work alongside our core technical staff providing front-line services to academics and students. Therefore, excellent communication, customer service and team working skills are essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

Under the direction of a technical supervisor, you will assist in the following:

Preparation of materials and equipment for use by staff and students.
Support practical teaching sessions, including assisting in the operation and demonstration of equipment and techniques.
Routine maintenance of equipment in line with manufacturer's specifications and the installation of equipment.
Maintenance and housekeeping of laboratory areas, to provide a clean and safe working environment.
Support with ordering of consumables and laboratory stock maintenance.
Assist with glass washing and sterilisation duties.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of health and safety procedures and issues relating to areas they work in.
Adhere to safe working practices in line with relevant local and legal requirements.
Commit to the training programme to develop the skills in a range of scientific techniques and the correct operation of basic laboratory equipment to successfully assist others in the support of research and teaching.
Undertake 20% off-the-job training with the relevant training provider.
Successfully complete the end point assessment and activities to contribute to

achieving the Apprenticeship Standard - Laboratory Technician Level 3.

Keep an up-to-date record of learning and progress from hands-on practical experience.
Work flexibly to support all areas of teaching and research activity.
As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.
As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria	Essential or desirable	Stage(s) assessed at
3 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above, including English, Maths and Science.	Essential	Application
An appreciation of the importance of Health and Safety regulations and safe working practices.	Essential	Application/interview
Demonstrable strong interest in science and a desire to develop a professional technical career.	Essential	Application/interview
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as a good level of computer literacy (Microsoft Office, etc)	Essential	Application/interview
Ability to follow protocols and accurately follow instructions.	Essential	Application/interview
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently without significant supervision.	Essential	Application/interview
Good organisational and time management skills, with a methodical approach to work.	Essential	Application/interview
Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances.	Essential	Application/interview
A willingness to work towards technical professional registration.	Essential	Application/interview
Experience of working or volunteering within a scientific, medical or educational environment that demonstrates a commitment to a career in science or Higher Education.	Desirable	Application/interview
Experience of delivering excellent service and meeting customers’ expectations.	Desirable	Application/interview

Further Information

Grade	National Minimum Wage (NMW)
Salary
Work arrangement	Full-time, with four days on the job and one day in education per week
Duration	Two years
Line manager	Technical Manager / Senior Technician: Education
Direct reports	Senior Technicians
Our website	https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph
For informal enquiries about this job contact Mark Ariaans, School Technical Manager: on m.ariaans@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 215 9561 Next steps in the recruitment process It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 11 August 2025. This will consist of an in-person interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 28 July 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing team at clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk. Our vision and strategic plan We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window). The University of Sheffield is a signatory to the Technical Commitment which is a sector wide, collaborative initiative led by the Science Council. The Commitment aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technical staff working in higher education and research, across all disciplines. This exciting opportunity supports a key aim of the Commitment to recruit individuals into University Apprenticeship schemes to facilitate technical training, development and progression. What we offer A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route. A range of generous family-friendly policies paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies support for those going through the menopause paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window). We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process. Criminal record A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window). Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).