Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 48 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours 
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026 
Start Date: September 2026 

Are you passionate about how things work and love solving technical problems? We're looking for enthusiastic and curious individuals who’re eager to kick-start their career in engineering. Whether you're fascinated by machines, electronics, design, or innovation, this apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to turn your passion into a profession.  

You'll gain hands-on experience, work alongside experienced engineers, and develop the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding industry. If you're ready to build the future—one project at a time—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 Access Controls and Instrumentation Team at STFC?

Within the Electrical Services Group at ISIS, our Access Controls and Instrumentation team is a friendly, supportive group that values collaboration and learning. We’re proud to have apprentices as part of our team—typically 4 or 5 at any time—so you’ll be in great company.

Our work is varied and exciting. You could be wiring a simple control panel one day and helping to build a multi-rack system that controls and monitors huge sections of the ISIS machine the next. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learn from experts, and contribute to cutting-edge science.

Qualifications gained  

Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship – Single Discipline

Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England

What you’ll learn

• To work safely in an engineering environment.
• To follow safety procedures and regulations.
• Technical skills to fulfil your role.
• To perform planned, preventative, and reactive maintenance on a wide range of equipment.
• How to collaborate with engineers, technicians and stakeholders
• Assist in completing jobs to required standards and maintaining accurate records.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities and sustainability practices.

Training provider

Through the training provider Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, you will undertake a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship which will include:

• Year 1: You will be based at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), Culham rotating through blocks of 4-6 weeks in duration. This will be supplemented with training relevant to STFC and giving a broad engineering foundation, delivered by STFC staff, in conjunction with UKAEA, at the OAS site in Culham.
• Year 2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with training in 4–6-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham across the year.
• Years 3-4: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become an Electrical Technician.  

You will be required to attend OAS as required as part of your training; you must therefore be willing and able to travel independently. Excess travel costs will be covered. 

For more information about the training provider, please visit: Level 3 Apprenticeships | OAS.

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

• Complete a prescribed program of training to be conducted at ISIS, within STFC.
• Building, assembling, and installing control panels, racks and systems.
• Cable assembly, including soldering and crimping.
• Being part of a team maintaining various access control systems, including secure entry, CCTV and public address systems.
• As an STFC Apprentice you will communicate with staff across STFC at all levels. You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own.  You will also have contact throughout your apprenticeship with college tutors and visitors to site.  
• Champion the ISIS Electrical Services Group in a positive manner.
• Deliver a high level of customer service.
• Attend appropriate additional training to support the role and service delivery.

Entry Requirements

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

We are looking for the following:

• 5 GCSEs including 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 (I)
• An interest in science and engineering. (S&I)
• Good problem-solving skills (I)
• A basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical principles. (I)
• Self-motivated, willing to undertake the work required in the workplace and at college. (S&I)
• An interest in practical subjects and activities. (S&I)

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence 5 GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C (or equivalent) including 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. 

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.