Job Description
Position Details:
Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary £20,494 per annum rising to £25,618 after 12 months service.
Apprentice Grade 3
Full Time / Fixed Term for 19 or 25 months dependent on current qualifications
Apprenticeship Standard: Laboratory Technician – Level 3
Training Provider: CSR
Closing date: 30 July - please upload a CV with your application.
Eligibility: The training delivered in apprenticeships is funded through the apprenticeship levy which is subject to Department for Education funding rules for apprenticeships. When reviewing applications the University and the training provider will be checking candidates meet this eligibility criteria . Further information is available on our webpage .
You have normally been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years. For exemptions please refer to the government funding rules for apprenticeships.
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham
Apprenticeship context
The Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) is a flexible, multi-use, multi-disciplinary laboratory. There are undergraduate practical sessions to a wide range of subjects including Bioscience, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering.
Apprenticeship Summary
The apprentice will learn to ultimately be able to provide skilled technical support over the full range of activities supported under the Preparation manager.
The apprentice will provide additional support for Outreach events, open day, applicant visit day events as well as for external courses hosted within the teaching facilities or hosted technical academy events.
The post holder would be expected at times to operate outside of the standard working hours during term time due to the timetable driven nature of the post (with Time Off In Lieu) and help to ensure that local and University Health & Safety policies are enforced within the laboratories.
In order to flexibly use resource you may be given the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider University.
During this apprenticeship you will learn the following duties:
- Provide general teaching laboratory support including the setting up and clearing away of equipment, consumables and reagents;
- Prepare materials and reagents (e.g. stock solutions, agar plates etc.). This will require the accurate use of measuring devices such as balances and pH meter and sterilisation equipment such as serialisation ovens and autoclaves;
- Assist in the preparation of more complex reagents and biological materials;
- Recording and signing out materials and equipment for student loan.
- To be responsible for ensuring that equipment is accurately calibrated prior to classes starting and that all requirements are in place;
- To complete equipment function tests, maintenance and calibration. Equipment may include: water baths, rotary evaporators, pH meters, microscopes, data loggers, electrophoresis equipment etc.;
- To identify simple faults and troubleshoot equipment during classes;
- Setting up of IT equipment;
- Receive deliveries (equipment, consumables and hazardous substances) and delivery documentation. Ensure deliveries are safely unpacked and that hazardous substances are stored according to regulations and that temperature sensitive deliveries are stored in appropriate fridges/freezers;
- Assist with the organisation and housekeeping of storage rooms, this may involve bringing equipment required for the day’s classes to the front of the store for easy access etc.
- Carry out specified techniques, tests or experiments as directed;
- Identify simple problems and resolve and recognise when to refer issues to your manager;
- Maintain accurate records and draft routine documentation related to your duties;
- Ensure the health, safety and cleanliness of immediate work area, by encouraging staff and students to comply with all basic University / College Health & Safety policies and reporting any issues to your line manager, technical manager, laboratory manager or College Safety Advisor as appropriate;
- Confirm that all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date;
- Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate and ensuring records are maintained;
- Report any breaches or non-compliance with health and safety procedures to the Line Manager, Technical Manager, Laboratory Manager or College Safety Advisor;
- Ensuring waste disposal is carried out correctly for laboratory, recycled and general waste;
- Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures;
- Assisting with stock level control and informing Line Manager when replacements are required;
- Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents;
- Reporting any problems with equipment or services to the line manager or colleague as appropriate;
- You will treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity;
- You will complete any other duties as may be reasonably required by either the Line Manager or Technical Managers.
You will be expected to engage fully with the University of Birmingham apprenticeship scheme, attending mandatory group days and contributing to the successful promotion of the scheme by representing your department in a positive manner.
This apprenticeship would suit:
This post would suit someone with a keen interest in science. You will be ambitious to develop a technical science career and keen to work for a leading University.
You will be enthusiastic and motivated to take full advantage of the apprenticeship experience and will be punctual and reliable with excellent levels of learning and engagement.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- At least 5 GCSEs (A*- C / 4-9 or equivalent) including Mathematics, English and preferably a Science.
- Previous experience of laboratory activities (biology, chemistry, physics) from school or further education.
- A keen interest in science
- An enthusiastic, flexible and keen learner who is reliable and dedicated to an apprenticeship.
- Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
- Ability to organise and manage own work load after consultation with supervisor and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area.
- Basic understating of commonly used software packages.
- An enquiring mind with an aptitude to solve mechanical problems.
Career Pathway
On completion of this apprenticeship or further in their career, you may be able to progress into one of the following roles:
- Specialist technician
- Technical assistant
- Teaching Laboratory Technician
- Research Laboratory Technician
- Workshop Technician
- Senior Technician
- Team leader
- Technical Support manager
For enquiries please email:
[email protected]View our staff values and behaviours here
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website . 
