Apprenticeship - Assistant Scientist in Wales

This is a Level 4 apprenticeship opportunity within the Natural Resources Analysis Services Wales (NRS) team. During your apprenticeship, you will combine academic study with practical experience in a professional laboratory environment, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a successful career in analytical science.

Working from the NRW laboratory at Swansea University, you will spend time working across all three Analytical Services departments: Service Delivery, Inorganic and Organic. This method of rotation between each will provide a broad experience of laboratory operations, analytical techniques and quality processes, helping you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the services provided by an accredited environmental laboratory.

You will be accountable to the Organic Team Leader, who will support your development throughout the apprenticeship and co-ordinate your placements across the different departments. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will contribute to providing accurate, reliable and timely analytical results that support NRW's environmental and regulatory monitoring responsibilities. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop practical scientific skills, while contributing to work that helps protect and improve Wales' natural resources.

What you will do:

• Support the Analysis Services teams with day-to-day laboratory activities that contribute to the provision of accurate, reliable and timely analysis services.
• Apply what you learned during your apprenticeship in real laboratory settings, gaining experience in areas such as sample preparation, use of analytical equipment and techniques, and assisting with routine laboratory tasks under appropriate supervision.
• Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across the Service Delivery, Inorganic and Organic teams, contributing positively to team objectives and supporting the smooth operation of the laboratory.
• Support laboratory administrative activities, including accurate data entry, maintaining documentation, and using laboratory information systems and ICT in accordance with established procedures.
• Help the laboratory meet health, safety and quality standards by following procedures, working safely, identifying problems and reporting concerns to experienced staff.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the position.
• Being committed to your own development and making effective use of your personal development plan (known as the Conversation).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• At least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science.
• A relevant Level 3 science qualification, such as a BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Certificate in Applied Science, or A Levels / AS Levels in science related subjects.
• Basic ICT skills to record data, maintain documentation and support laboratory processes.
• Sufficient literacy and numeracy skills to record results correctly and follow written procedures.
• Awareness of laboratory environments and interest in developing technical skills within the context of analytical science.

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• The Civil Service Pension scheme which offers 28.97% employer contributions.
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous absences for all your needs in life.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits and support.
• Weekly wellness hour that you can choose when to use.

We are passionate about creating a creative and diverse workforce and encourage applications from underrepresented communities. We operate a policy of equal opportunities regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We wish to attract and retain talented and skilled staff, so we ensure that our pay scales remain competitive. The people appointed start at the first point of the scale, with a step-by-step increase each year.

We want our staff to develop professionally and personally. From developing their leadership skills to accessing further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge in a variety of subjects, maintain their knowledge of the latest developments in their field and continue to learn as their career develops.

We are a bilingual organization that complies with Welsh Language Standards and is committed to equal opportunities. Welsh skills are considered an asset to the organisation, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh skills in the workplace.