Laboratory Scientist Chemistry Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) - SOPREMA

Location: SOPREMA, Weeland Road, Eggborough, Goole, DN14 0FG

Working for SOPREMA In the UK, SOPREMA provides an extensive portfolio of products, including bitumen and single ply roofing membranes and systems, liquid waterproofing systems, acoustic and thermal insulation, and a range of civil and expansion joint solutions. These materials are designed to meet the demands of modern construction, offering durability, efficiency, and environmental benefits. SOPREMA UK serves a diverse customer base, from architects and contractors to developers and building owners, ensuring that every project benefits from expert support.

The Package

• Starting salary of £27,000/year
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Increases to 26 after 5 years service and 27 after 10 years service
• Working hours are 36.25 hours per week
• Aviva pension
• 4x Life Assurance
• Access to MySopraHub offering high street discounts

Key Responsibilities

• We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Laboratory Scientist Chemistry Degree Apprentice to join the team, supporting laboratory activities and contributing to research, development, and innovation.
• This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a career in chemistry/materials and laboratory science, offering the opportunity to develop technical knowledge and practical skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.
• You will gain experience working on product development, laboratory testing, and continuous improvement initiatives, while building confidence in problem solving, communication, and working with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain a safe and sustainable laboratory environment by following EHS procedures and identifying improvements.
• Conduct laboratory evaluations of new chemicals and formulations, supporting scale-up to manufacturing, including COSHH and environmental considerations.
• Develop and improve testing and characterisation methods for raw materials and product performance.
• Support product understanding and development (PIR foams) using problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Assist with plant trials, including preparation, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Accurately record laboratory work and communicate findings clearly to different audiences.
• Support day-to-day lab operations, including 5S, inventory management, and equipment calibration.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, and Engineering.
• Take ownership of work, ensuring quality outcomes and timely delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and ongoing personal development within the R&D team.
• Plan and manage workload effectively, providing regular updates to your line manager.
• Follow company policies and quality standards, proactively identifying and reporting improvements.

Please note: This role may also be offered as a Laboratory Scientist Materials Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) if you are more suited to this programme.

About You

• You’re naturally curious about chemistry and interested in understanding how substances interact, react, and behave under different conditions.
• You enjoy applying scientific principles in a practical setting, exploring why reactions happen and how they can be controlled or improved.
• You’re comfortable working in a laboratory environment and enjoy hands-on experimentation, from preparing samples to analysing results.
• You work in a methodical, structured way, following detailed procedures with accuracy and care.
• Attention to detail is important to you, and you take pride in producing precise, reliable data.
• You think critically and approach problems with a logical mindset, especially when results don’t go as expected.
• You’re confident working with data, calculations, and reports, and communicate your findings clearly.
• Motivated to build technical expertise, you’re interested in contributing to areas such as research, product development, or chemical processes while continuously refining your skills.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:
• Be 16 or over
• Not be in full-time education
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Have the right to work in the UK

Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field. If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Start your career as a laboratory scientist and gain hands-on experience in a real laboratory environment while working towards a recognised degree. As part of this Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship in Chemistry, you’ll develop the skills to carry out advanced laboratory techniques, analyse and interpret complex chemical data, and contribute to research, development, and innovation. This programme gives you the best of both worlds - you’ll combine academic study with practical, on-the-job experience, building the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours needed to succeed in the chemical science industry.

Over the course of the programme, you’ll combine your day-to-day role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro, in partnership with Middlesex University. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person teaching, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace. In the final stage of the programme, you’ll focus on preparing for your End Point Assessment, ensuring you’re ready to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and behaviours in a real-world context.

What your training will look like:

You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.

What could your future look like?

This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to progress as a laboratory scientist within the chemical sciences. Through practical experience and academic study, you’ll develop the confidence to carry out complex chemical investigations, evaluate data, and contribute to research and innovation. You’ll work with advanced laboratory equipment and techniques while ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and scientific integrity. This programme can also support professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Scientist (RSci) or Chartered Scientist (CSci). You’ll gain experience that’s highly valued across a wide range of scientific and industrial environments, opening up opportunities to specialise and progress within chemistry and related technical fields. If you choose to continue your development, this programme provides a strong foundation for further academic study or progression into senior scientific and research roles.