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: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Allocated between 9th to 13th March
Start Date: September 2026 

Are you inspired by the idea of creating and contributing to the worlds most advanced research facilities?

Could you be the newest member of our team, where every day brings new challenges and your work makes a real impact?

Joining the Accelerator Diagnostics and Instrumentation Group (ADIG) at STFC’s Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) means becoming part of a team that builds the technology behind world-leading particle accelerators. Our highly skilled electronic technicians and apprentices support cutting-edge research by designing, fabricating, and assembling advanced electronic systems. You’ll have the chance to take full ownership of your projects — from liaising with researchers and engineers to creating prototypes, assembling circuits, and testing final units.

You’ll also operate our in-house rapid prototyping facilities, which include on-site circuit board manufacturing and additive manufacturing (3D printing), giving you hands-on involvement from concept to completion. Beyond supporting ASTeC’s test facilities, the team contributes to major international collaborations at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, CERN, and the European Spallation Source — meaning your work will help shape the tools used at some of the most advanced scientific sites in the world. 

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 ADIG Electronics Workshop team at STFC

The Electronics Workshop Team is a proactive and friendly group that works closely with researchers and engineers to solve a wide variety of challenges in support of STFC’s mission to advance accelerator science. Being part of the Accelerator Instrumentation and Diagnostics group within ASTeC, our team helps design, build, and maintain the electronics that enable scientists to operate particle accelerators safely and effectively. Key projects include devices such as Beam Position Monitors and YAG cameras, which are essential for precise beam diagnostics.

The workshop also supports other groups across the site and externally, constantly presenting new technical challenges that push creativity, skill, and knowledge. Our facilities allow the team to work on a broad range of R&D projects — from multi-layer circuit design and 3D prototyping to resin casting moulds for custom ultra-high vacuum connectors. This variety ensures every project is engaging, hands-on, and impactful.

Learn more about the role as an apprentice electronics technician: 

Meet an apprentice | Electrical Engineering 

Qualifications gained

• L3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Qualification  (see Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England for further information)  
• L4 HNC (Optional)  

Professional Recognition  

• This apprenticeship aligns with Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)  
• This apprenticeship aligns with The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)

What You’ll Learn

• Maintain and promote work site health, safety, and environmental compliance. For example,  conduct risk assessments and follow emergency procedures.  
• Liaise with stakeholders on maintenance work. For example, pre-job briefings, to plan work, to co-ordinate work with other maintenance disciplines, and to provide technical and regulatory advice.  
• Prepare for engineering maintenance work. For example, organise resources, obtain supplies of consumables, and order parts.  
• Review job requirements and accept. For example, accept safe system of work or permit to work.  
• Ensure work meets regulatory, industry, and company quality standards.  
• Conduct post job close out. For example, sign-off job, handover engineering plant and equipment.  
• Complete engineering maintenance records to company requirements. For example, job reports, stock control records, and fault-finding reports.  
• Contribute to improvement activities. For example, support alternative ways of working to improve safety, reliability, sustainability, reduce cost, or drive efficiency. Complete continued professional development.  
• Conduct planned, preventative, and reactive maintenance on electrical/electronic/control and instrumentation aspects of plant, equipment, and systems.
• Conduct fault diagnosis and problem solving on electrical/electronic/ control and instrumentation plant, equipment, and control systems.
• Remove and replace electrical/electronic/ control and instrumentation plant, equipment, and systems.
• Conduct inspection, examination, and testing of electrical/electronic plant/ control and instrumentation, equipment, and systems.
• Ensure availability and performance of electrical maintenance/control and instrumentation tools and equipment. 

Training provider

Riverside and Cronton College: Click here for link to provider website  

Apprenticeship Delivery  

Year 1: you will spend the first full year (during term time only) with the education provider. During half term breaks you will be back on site within the ASTeC Group at Daresbury Laboratory.  

Years 2 to 4: you will spend 4 days per week within the ASTeC Group at Daresbury Laboratory and the 5th day will be spent with the education provider.  

Note – There will be regular one-to-one coaching sessions with an assessor.  

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

As part of the team, you’ll get hands-on experience designing and routing printed circuit boards, reading wiring diagrams, using CAD software, and CNC machines, along with building and testing prototype equipment to meet design specifications. You’ll fabricate parts and enclosures using a range of hand and machine tools, carry out fault finding and modifications, and solder both SMT and through-hole components. You’ll also gain experience in 3D design and additive manufacturing, laser engraving, and making cable harnesses.

In this role, you will often be assigned your own projects to manage and complete, giving you the chance to take ownership from start to finish. At the same time, support is always available — every member of the team is ready to guide you, ensuring that no one ever struggles alone. You’ll develop practical skills, confidence, and teamwork while contributing to exciting, cutting-edge projects. 

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 at least 4 subjects, to include Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) and at least one additional STEM related subject (S)  
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)  
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• A strong and demonstrable interest in science, engineering, and technology (S&I)
• Ability to problem solve (S&I)
• Clear oral and written communication skills (S&I)
• Proactive and self-motivated, able to work effectively as part of a team and work independently (S&I)
• Ability to demonstrate some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill (I)
• Ability to follow instructions including technical instructions in English (I)
• Ability to demonstrate some basic electronic engineering knowledge and skills (S&I)

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence 4x passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and one further STEM related subject and one subject of any discipline. 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.