Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 24 months 
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours 
Location: Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Warrington, WA4 4AD
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026 
Start Date: September 2026 

Ready to launch your journey into the world of business? Join us as a Business Administration Apprentice and learn the skills that keep modern organisations running smoothly. From planning meetings and supporting teams to sorting travel and keeping things organised, you’ll be right at the centre of the action. 

This is your chance to earn while you learn, working towards a recognised qualification with a friendly, supportive team that values creativity, initiative and growth. 

If you’re organised, curious and ready to make things happen, we want to hear from you!

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice, you’ll gain real-world experience, build technical and professional skills, and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic, supportive environment.  

You’ll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator, structured training, practical experience, and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus, you’ll have access to workshops, a peer network, and career development support, helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.  

Why join the ASTeC team at STFC

At ASTeC (Accelerator Science and Technology Centre), we’re not just about science, we’re about shaping the future. Our work helps power ground-breaking research in everything from clean energy to healthcare and space exploration.

When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that’s curious, creative and passionate about making a real impact. You’ll work alongside experts who love to share their knowledge and support your growth every step of the way. With access to world-class facilities, amazing people and endless opportunities to learn, ASTeC is the perfect place to kickstart your career in business. 

Qualifications gained

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship : https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0070-v1-0

What You’ll Learn

• To understand the organisation and its structure 

• The importance of following laws, regulations and policies 

• To produce accurate records and documents 

• To communicate well through different methods 

• To use relevant project management tools 

• To make effective decisions 

• To complete tasks to a high standard, managing priorities and time 

• To build positive relationships within a team and across the organisation 

• IT skills to fulfil the role 

Training provider 

Warrington and Vale Royal College - Business Apprenticeship | Warrington & Vale Royal College 

• Block release - 1 day at college per week for 12 weeks

• Monthly assessor meetings - workplace visits or online

   

What You’ll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities

• Building and maintaining relationships with staff through regular communication in a business environment
• Shared responsibility for public inboxes – including replying in a timely manner, answering queries, maintaining accurate and easily accessible records
• Supporting the team with the set-up and delivery of on-site and off-site events
• Booking travel and accommodation  
• Provide administrative support for meetings. This involves preparing agendas, taking minutes & tracking action items
• Provide general administrative support as required, contributing to the smooth running of daily operations 

Entry Requirements 

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)  
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)  
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (S&I)
• Confident using a computer, especially tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook (S&I)
• Good at keeping things on track and getting tasks done on time (I)
• Friendly, approachable, and ready to help customers and colleagues (S&I)
• Listens carefully, explains things clearly, and makes people feel valued/heard/understood (I) 

Important Information 

• To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.

• When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.

• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered.  By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship, in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y 

How to apply

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.  

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible! 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.