Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 28 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 passionate about discovery and ready to take your first step into the world of laboratory science? Join our team as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice and gain hands-on experience while working towards being a fully qualified technician. 

The Boulby Underground Laboratory is located at Boulby Mine on the north-east coast of England and on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. It is the UK’s deep underground science facility and has hosted deep underground science since the 1990s. It is a special place for science – a ‘quiet place in the universe’ – where studies can be carried out almost entirely free of interference from natural background radiation. Projects at the Boulby Underground Laboratory range from astrophysics (including the search for dark matter) to ultra-low background material screening, studies of geology and geophysics, climate, the environment, life in extreme environments on Earth and beyond. You can learn more about us here: 

(https://www.boulby.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx)  

Boulby Underground Laboratory is part of the Particle Physics Department at STFC, which is one of the largest particle physics groups in the UK. We design, construct, and operate some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry, and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, Lux-Zeplin, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider, Migdal and AION collaborations. 

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 Team at STFC?

The Boulby Underground Laboratory has a tight-knit team of about 25 people working in a diverse range of roles. You will be joining our science support team which works in close collaboration with many groups both national and international 

From collaborating with people from all over the World, to contributing to high-profile breakthroughs, you’ll be right in the middle of exciting, world-class science with people who genuinely love what they do. 

Qualifications gained  

Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship 

BTEC in Applied Science 

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0248-v1-2   

What you’ll learn

• To work safely in a laboratory 
• To follow quality procedures 
• Regulatory requirements of the industry and laboratory 
• Technical skills to fulfil your role 
• How to produce, analyse and interpret data, including the application of statistical techniques 
• To communicate scientific information appropriately 
• To use appropriate scientific methods to identify the causes of problems and produce solutions 

Training provider

Cogent Skills: https://cogentskills.com/   

Delivery - Instructor-led virtual learning, online self-study and two 3-day residentials  

Regular one-to-one coaching sessions with an assessor   

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

Your responsibilities will include working in the underground and surface laboratories to safely control, monitor, and adjust equipment and processes in compliance with all departmental safety standards. You will report and investigate deviations from normal operating conditions and will be able to deal with basic process anomalies. You will work with cryogenic and gas flow systems, pressure vessels, particle detectors and a range of other laboratory equipment.  

Part of your development will include assisting with the calibration and routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and contributing to the upkeep of the lab environment. You’ll also work collaboratively with teams across various departments, fostering strong communication and teamwork. 

You will also have the opportunity to participate in numerous public engagement and outreach events during your time with us. 

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 A Level in Maths or Physics A-C, or a BTEC L3 in Engineering (S) – consideration will be given to applicants without these qualifications as additional Maths units can be included if necessary 
• A genuine interest in science, engineering, or technology and the work of STFC (S&I) 
• An interest in how things work and a willingness to develop technical skills through hands-on experience (S&I) 
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I) 
• Confident using a computer, especially tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook (S) 
• Pride in getting things just right (I) 
• Willingness to take initiative and work independently or in a team, with guidance available (S&I) 
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (S&I) 
• Good at keeping things on track and getting tasks done on time. (I) 
• Enjoys solving problems, thinking things through, and coming up with ideas that work (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! 

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.