Apprentice Technician

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

The Department and role purpose: 

The Apprentice Technician role supports the Department of Chemistry in delivering internationally excellent teaching and research by providing specialist services within the scientific environment. This includes completion of checklists to ensure compliance with Health and Safety requirements, specialist cleaning and collection of general waste, which may require specialist handling. The role holder will also work with more senior colleagues to gain an appreciation of other technical services offered in the department with opportunities to support a variety of technical functions. This is alongside completion of Laboratory Technician Level 3 apprenticeship standard.

More information on the Department can be found at https://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry/ . The University is committed to developing all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive.

Core responsibilities:

• Contribute input within a service team to provide a responsive service for stakeholders.
• Contribute input to deliver a stakeholder-focussed service.
• Respond to straightforward requests for information from stakeholders.
• Contribute to team effort with more straightforward tasks during peak work flows.
• Follow documented service procedures, referring to more experienced colleagues with less straightforward issues.
• Demonstrate some pre-employment familiarity with the techniques, and processes used in the service area.
• Learn new skills and techniques on the job working alongside more experienced team members.
• Learn about the hazards and risks within own area of work and report incidents in accordance with recognised procedures and protocols. 
• Communicate with supervisor, team members, other staff, students and visitors in person or using electronic tools and applications.

Role responsibilities:

• Assist team members to complete tasks to meet learning, teaching and/or research objectives.
• Assist team members to prepare, set-up, and dismantle specialist equipment, apparatus and facilities under supervision.
• Assist team members to complete work and report incidents in accordance with risk assessments specific to tasks and environments.
• Carry out daily tasks within a research or teaching facility to ensure it is in a safe working order for stakeholder use, including:
  • Completing checklists for compliance checks on equipment
  • Monitoring that items are stored safely and good housekeeping is maintained and reporting any concerns to qualified chemists
  • Collection of general waste material from laboratories and other rooms, which may require specialist handling in line with handling guidance, including waste glass and chemical solid lab waste.
• Assist team members to monitor and replenish stock levels of resources.
• Wear and use protective equipment and clothing to carry out tasks on a day to day basis.
• Gather and/or record data on standard systems in accordance with protocols and procedures.

Any other reasonable duties.

Specific role requirements 

The role will include attending off the job training for the Laboratory Technician Level 3 apprenticeship standard for one day per week with a local training provider.

Subject to the successful completion of the apprenticeship and performance criteria the post will become a permanent Assistant Technician at Grade 3.

Working Arrangements

At Durham we recognise that our staff and students are our greatest asset and we want to support the health and wellbeing of all.  Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to our colleagues, including empowering people, where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Depending on the needs of the business and the job role, Durham University is piloting hybrid working for all Professional Services colleagues in the academic year 2021/2022, which may include the opportunity to work both on and off campus and to flex working hours.  If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you.  Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change within the pilot and when the pilot ends.

Reward and Benefits

To support the delivery of the University's People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, we offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits to our staff, including:

• 27 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;
• Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;
• Corporate and local discounts;
• Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
• Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
• Reward and Recognition Schemes;
• Personal and career development;
• And SO much more, with further information available here

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification.  In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application.  

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

How to apply 

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Information if you have a disability

The University welcomes applications from disabled people. We are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on [email protected] .

What you are required to submit – 

1. A CV; 

2. A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out in the essential and desirable criteria;

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details

For further information regarding this post, please contact; Senior Technical Manager, Connor Sibbald ([email protected])

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values .  Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive, and in doing so, recruit the world’s best candidates from all backgrounds and identities. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria:

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Basic IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.  
• Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
• Experience of working in a team.
• Experience of managing time in order to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions, written or oral, accurately.

Desirable Criteria 

• Health and safety compliance knowledge.
• Experience of working in a customer focussed technical service.
• Familiarity with scientific, technical and creative equipment.