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:  Boulby Underground Science Facility, Boulby Mine Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland TS13 4UZ 
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Are you ready to kick-start a rewarding career in engineering? Join us as a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Service and Maintenance Engineer apprentice and become part of a team that keeps vital systems running at Boulby Underground Laboratory. This hands-on role offers the opportunity to learn how to maintain and service complex mechanical and electrical systems, ensuring comfort, safety, and energy efficiency in a wide range of environments. You’ll gain valuable industry experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. 

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 Boulby Underground Laboratory at STFC?

At the Boulby Underground Laboratory, you’ll be part of a truly unique and inspiring environment, working over a kilometre below ground in the UK’s deep underground science facility. The Facilities team underpins every aspect of Boulby’s operation, maintaining and improving the mechanical, electrical, and building systems that keep the lab safe, efficient, and ready for science. You’ll support projects that range from maintaining power, air, and cooling systems to installing new experimental spaces and helping manage underground safety and infrastructure upgrades. 

The work is varied, practical, and vital to the success of research in physics, biology, geology, and engineering including studies into Dark Matter, Astrobiology and Planetary Exploration and Environmental research. As a Facilities Technician Apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience across a wide range of systems and equipment, working alongside experienced technicians and engineers in one of the most unusual workplaces in the world. 

Qualifications gained  

Level 3 Building services engineering service and maintenance engineer apprenticeship 

Building services engineering service and maintenance engineer / Skills England  

Training provider

Training provider: Hartlepool College of Further Education 

Delivery: Classroom based learning - one day a week 

Apprenticeships | Hartlepool College of Further Education  

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

What You’ll Be Doing as an Apprentice Facility Technician at Boulby, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a unique underground environment while learning essential technical skills.  

Your role will involve: 

• Practical Operations: Driving forklifts and vehicles underground and on the surface, and working with cranes and lifting equipment. 
• Technical Skills: Gathering and logging data, maintaining nitrogen systems, and learning how to manage compressed gases and cryogenic liquids. 
• Problem-Solving: Helping identify and fix faults in air conditioning, water systems, extraction units and more.  
• Safety First: Supporting health and safety processes by creating risk assessments and safe systems of work. 
• Variety of Tasks: From emergency lighting and fire system checks to assisting with new plant installations alongside contractors. 
• World-Class Science: Playing a key role in installing and supporting world-leading scientific equipment used for cutting-edge research. 
• Learning Big Machinery: Operating MEWPs, scissor lifts, and other specialist equipment under supervision. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a broad skill set in facilities management while working in one of the UK’s most unique scientific environments. 

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) (Included for all roles)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I) (Included for all roles)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (I)(Included for all roles)
• Interest in in Engineering, Facilities Management & Science (S&I)
• Comfortable with hands-on tasks, tools and machinery. (S&I)
• Comfortable working underground and in varied conditions. (I)
• Can think logically and troubleshoot under guidance (S&I)
• Good attention to detail and accuracy when recording data, performing checks, and following instructions. (S&I)
• Reliable and responsible, good time keeping and an ability to take ownership of tasks. (S&I) 

IMPORTANT – Applicants must be 18 years of age or older when they start the position to comply with site health and Safety regulations.

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. 

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!