Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Piramal Pharma Solutions

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3

Location: Morpeth

Compensation: £20,000 / year

Description

Location: Whalton Road, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3YA

Working for Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our clients through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including Drug Discovery Solutions, Process & Pharmaceutical Development services, Clinical Trial Supplies, Commercial supply of APIs and Finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services like development and manufacture of Highly Potent APIs and Antibody Drug Conjugation.

The Package

• Starting salary of £15,165 (£8.33 per hour), increasing to National Minimum/Living wage after 12 months if applicable
• 37.5 hours per week (35 hours worked, as this is inclusive of a 30 minute paid lunch break)
• Monday to Thursday, 7:00am - 3:00pm; Friday, 7:00am - 12:00pm
• Annual Leave
• Company Pension Scheme

What will I be doing as a Laboratory Technician apprentice?

As a Laboratory Technician Apprentice, you will learn to perform laboratory analysis in line with business needs, following cGLP/GMP and safety guidelines. You will gain hands-on experience working with wet chemical and instrumental analytical techniques, maintaining laboratory equipment, and ensuring quality compliance through accurate documentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform analytical testing using wet chemical and instrumental techniques such as TLC, HPLC, GC, FTIR, and UV analysis to meet agreed timescales.
• Carry out routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment following approved methods and procedures.
• Maintain accurate and compliant QC documentation flow within the department.
• Observe and comply with Health & Safety and GMP requirements in all laboratory operations.
• Follow approved SOPs/DOPs and analytical methods strictly.
• Plan and prioritise own work with guidance from senior analysts and team leaders.
• Carry out routine duties as allocated by the QC Coordinator.

What does the future hold?

When you join Piramal, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.

Through practical training on the job, you can look forward to a range of potential career paths in industries such as manufacturing, construction, engineering, aerospace, automotive, or research and development. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can ensure the quality and reliability of materials used in various sectors.

This apprenticeship program also serves as a stepping-stone towards a rewarding career in laboratory testing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).

This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement such as our Level 6 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Applied Chemical Science Degree Apprenticeships, enabling you to take on more specialised roles or progress into leadership positions.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

About you

You’re someone who commits and delivers results, consistently meeting timelines and quality standards. You contribute positively to business growth initiatives and stay focused on completing assigned tasks to a high standard. Even in difficult situations, you maintain a positive attitude and demonstrate humility and politeness in all your interactions.

You actively participate, sharing your ideas openly while respecting different viewpoints and all stakeholders. You understand the importance of teamwork and communicate effectively to build strong working relationships.

You think big — understanding the organisation’s long-term goals and aligning your actions with strategic initiatives. You bring creativity to your work and respond positively to change, adapting quickly to new circumstances.

Serving customers is a priority for you. You understand customer needs and consistently deliver on expectations. You’re proactive in suggesting improvements to enhance customer experience and able to build meaningful connections.

Qualifications

We believe enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are far more important than formal qualifications. The ideal candidate is curious about the sector, honest about their current knowledge, and eager to develop new skills. Being thoughtful, self-aware, and driven to grow will help you succeed at Piramal.

Experience

Previous experience is welcomed but not essential. We prioritise the right attitude and aptitude — someone who is motivated, open to feedback, and ready to contribute positively to our team culture. If you’re committed to learning and growing with us, you’ll be a great fit.

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 20 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 Carvansons 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.

As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.

If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.

You’ll need to be over 16, 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.