Mechanical Engineering Apprentice
| Posting date: | 30 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £19,514 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 February 2026 |
| Location: | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | STFC |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 1750 |
Summary
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 48 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX
Closing Date: 2nd February 2026
Do you want to learn how world-leading experiments happen and play a part in cutting-edge research?
We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual who wants to start their engineering career in the Sample Environment department at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Instead of just watching science happen, you’ll be helping to make it possible!
This is your chance to gain practical engineering skills, work in a world-class facility, and kick-start a career in science and technology.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice, you’ll gain real-world experience, build technical and professional skills, and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic, supportive environment.
Why join the Sample Environment Group at STFC?
You will be working in a team of 30 across four sections to support the ISIS user support run, along with collaborating with other user facilities worldwide on development projects and upgrading our bespoke equipment. Click here for more information about the work of the Sample Environment team: https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Sample-Environment.aspx
Qualifications gained
Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship – Single Discipline
Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England
What you’ll learn
To work safely in an engineering environment.
To follow safety procedures and regulations.
Technical skills to fulfil your role.
How to set up and operate a range of different machines including, manual, CNC (Computer Numerical Control), and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining).
Training provider
Through the training provider Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, you will undertake at Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship which will include:
Year 1: You will be based at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), Culham rotating through blocks of 4-6 weeks in duration. This will be supplemented with training relevant to STFC and giving a broad engineering foundation, delivered by STFC staff, in conjunction with UKAEA, at the OAS site in Culham.
Year 2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with training in 4–6-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham across the year.
Years 3-4: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become a Sample Environment Technician.
What You’ll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities
As a member of the Sample Environment Group the successful applicant will:
Build, Plan, and Maintain Equipment: Prepare and assemble sample environment kits, ensuring all components are ready. Communicate with scientists and team members to confirm requirements, then test equipment to enable experiments under the required conditions.
Design Bespoke Solutions: Create custom sample environment “widgets” as needed for specific research requirements.
Safety Compliance: Follow all workplace safety procedures, including general health and safety and radiation safety protocols.
Entry Requirements
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
We are looking for the following:
5 GCSEs including Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)
An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (S&I)
Good problem-solving skills (I)
Interest in engineering and the ability to demonstrate a basic level of knowledge and skill (S&I)
Ability to work independently and as part of a small team. (I)
Good communication skills (both written and verbal) (S&I)
IT literacy and working with Microsoft office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (S)
How to apply
For more information and to apply, please click apply within this advert. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 48 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX
Closing Date: 2nd February 2026
Do you want to learn how world-leading experiments happen and play a part in cutting-edge research?
We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual who wants to start their engineering career in the Sample Environment department at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Instead of just watching science happen, you’ll be helping to make it possible!
This is your chance to gain practical engineering skills, work in a world-class facility, and kick-start a career in science and technology.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice, you’ll gain real-world experience, build technical and professional skills, and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic, supportive environment.
Why join the Sample Environment Group at STFC?
You will be working in a team of 30 across four sections to support the ISIS user support run, along with collaborating with other user facilities worldwide on development projects and upgrading our bespoke equipment. Click here for more information about the work of the Sample Environment team: https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Sample-Environment.aspx
Qualifications gained
Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship – Single Discipline
Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England
What you’ll learn
To work safely in an engineering environment.
To follow safety procedures and regulations.
Technical skills to fulfil your role.
How to set up and operate a range of different machines including, manual, CNC (Computer Numerical Control), and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining).
Training provider
Through the training provider Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, you will undertake at Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship which will include:
Year 1: You will be based at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), Culham rotating through blocks of 4-6 weeks in duration. This will be supplemented with training relevant to STFC and giving a broad engineering foundation, delivered by STFC staff, in conjunction with UKAEA, at the OAS site in Culham.
Year 2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with training in 4–6-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham across the year.
Years 3-4: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become a Sample Environment Technician.
What You’ll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities
As a member of the Sample Environment Group the successful applicant will:
Build, Plan, and Maintain Equipment: Prepare and assemble sample environment kits, ensuring all components are ready. Communicate with scientists and team members to confirm requirements, then test equipment to enable experiments under the required conditions.
Design Bespoke Solutions: Create custom sample environment “widgets” as needed for specific research requirements.
Safety Compliance: Follow all workplace safety procedures, including general health and safety and radiation safety protocols.
Entry Requirements
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
We are looking for the following:
5 GCSEs including Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)
An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (S&I)
Good problem-solving skills (I)
Interest in engineering and the ability to demonstrate a basic level of knowledge and skill (S&I)
Ability to work independently and as part of a small team. (I)
Good communication skills (both written and verbal) (S&I)
IT literacy and working with Microsoft office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (S)
How to apply
For more information and to apply, please click apply within this advert. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.