Biology Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Fugro

Department: Bioscience

Location: Hampshire

Compensation: £23,407 / year

Description

Location: Victory House, Unit 16 Trafalgar Wharf, Hamilton Road, Portchester, Hampshire, PO6 4XP

Working for Fugro

In this role, you'll be part of the Fugro Benthic, Sediment and Water Quality teams, within the Marine Site Characterisation business line. The Benthic team specialise in the extraction and identification of marine species from a wide variety of seabed and marine substrata globally. The Sediment team specialise in particle size analysis of marine and freshwater sediment and water samples, as well as other associated tests. The Water Quality team specialise in the water quality sampling for microbiological monitoring projects. The data we provide enables our clients to fully understand the effects of developments and activities on the biology of coastal and marine environments.

We are now seeking an enthusiastic individual to join the team as a Laboratory Technician (Level 3) Apprentice, in our offices at Trafalgar Wharf, Portchester.

The Package

• Starting salary: £23,407 per annum
• 37.5hrs per week
• Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm with occasional weekend and out-of-hours work.
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance and private medical insurance
• Employee Assistant Program
• 24 days annual leave - increases with length of service
• Option to buy up to 5 extra annual leave days
• Option to lease an electric car
• Cycle to work scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities

What will I be doing as a Laboratory Technician apprentice?

Fugro are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to both earn a salary and study towards a nationally recognised qualification through our Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship.

This role supports the Benthic Analysis Team, but your role will also include assisting other onsite laboratories where necessary including our sediment and water quality laboratories. Your main focus will be to help process samples of marine sediment (mud, sand etc) collected from different parts of the world. Your tasks will include receiving the samples, getting them ready for testing, extracting small animals from them and measuring their weight. You'll also help keep the lab clean and check the equipment to make sure it's working as it should. In the Sediment Laboratory and Water Quality department, you'll test the sediment and water samples, and you'll also help collect water samples to check for bacteria at local schools, leisure centres and on cruise ships.

• Receiving and keeping track of samples in a warehouse and storage area, using manual handling techniques and tools
• Preparing samples with small sea animals (macrofauna) ready for analysis
• Using a sieve to separate the small animals from the samples for identification, making sure you're working towards and meeting quality standards at all times
• Weighing the small animals (biomassing)
• Laboratory testing of marine sediment and water samples for, but not limited to, particle size distribution, loss on ignition, total suspended solids and other associated tests
• Helping with general lab cleaning, recycling and safely disposing leftover sample materials
• Helping with storing and organising samples, and managing logistics
• Assisting senior staff with checking and calibrating equipment
• Collecting water samples from swimming pools at schools and leisure centres in Hampshire and West Sussex
• Collecting water samples from drinking and recreational water facilities on cruise ships, mainly in the South and South West regions.

What could the future look like?

There's no limit to what you can achieve while working with Fugro. Their team is at the heart of what they do, and they are looking for someone who wants to play a key part in that long term. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position with the business at the end of your apprenticeship.

Through practical 'on-the-job' training you'll have the opportunity to learn new skills to provide competency and responsibility in carrying out testing and to help develop your career. You can look forward to a range of potential career paths in industries such as marine biology, construction, engineering or research and development. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals who hold this crucial laboratory testing experience, used in various sectors!

This apprenticeship program serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in Marine Biology, with the added opportunity to become a registered Technician (RSci Tech). This enables you to take on more specialised roles or progress into leadership positions.

Rest assured, your hard work and determination will be recognised!

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

About You

• This is a very hands on and practical role so you should have a passion for science, be willing to get stuck in and be hungry to learn from the offset!
• We're looking for someone who is focussed and careful in all aspects of work. You'll need to have good attention to detail to identify problems, and be an accurate record keeper, as the laboratories carry UKAS accreditations, so your work must reach the standard of accuracy required.
• The ability to think on your feet is crucial due to the environment and nature of the role
• Good health and safety awareness
• Comfortable using basic Microsoft Office Programmes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Full, clean UK drivers license
• Available to work potential shift patterns/weekends and participate in a weekend rota

To succeed in this apprenticeship, you'll need bags of enthusiasm, be a fantastic collaborator and be hungry to learn!

Please note, because of the nature and responsibilities of this position, you must hold a valid UK Driving License, be aged 18+ and be willing to do some manual handling.

Even if this doesn't sound quite like you, but you still think you could do a great job in the role, get in touch. We're always open to hearing from you!

Experience

Whilst previous experience is great, we're not just interested in experience and qualifications; we're looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Fugro.

Qualifications

It's about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience, the most successful apprentices are those who have drive to find out more about the sector, can be up-front about what they do and don't already know, are considerate, self-reflective and impatient to learn the job role!

So how does the apprenticeship work?

At Tiro we're obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can't wait to have you on board.

Over 21 months, you'll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on 'off the job' training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You'll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Fugro who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you'll need to succeed in your career. Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you'll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

The best part? You'll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Eligibility

While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you'll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.

You'll need to be over 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

If you don't quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you're interested here and we'll get in touch to discuss this further with you.