Radiation Protection Apprentice
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £18,900
Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 2.5 Years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025
The Health Physics & Facility Safety Group supports the radiation protection function and the radioactive waste service at ISIS. In the workplace, the Radiation Protection Apprentice will develop the technical skills and competencies required to provide health physics monitoring support and assistance to staff and users at ISIS. The apprentice will also gain the knowledge and skills required for the safe characterisation and processing of radioactive waste prior to its safe disposal.
About an Apprenticeship
With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
We are recruiting for a Radiation Protection Apprentice to work at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire. Health Physics Surveyor is an essential role that provides support service to the operation of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source.
The apprentice will be based in our Health Physics & Facility Safety Group where their daily duties will be varied and complemented by formal training with Bridgwater and Taunton College, where over two and a half years they will complete a Level 2 Nuclear Health Physics Monitor Apprenticeship.
The apprentice will undertake professional development and training through a mixture of online and in-person teaching. There will be 15 days of professional training at college plus additional online touchpoints. Travel expenses will be provided when attending in-person teaching.
Towards the end of the apprenticeship duration there is an End Point Assessment which includes a form of written assessment, practical assessment and a panel review of the portfolio of evidence.
More information is available via: Nuclear health physics monitor / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Role:
- Taking readings of surface, air and personal contamination
- Detecting radiation dose rates using various detectors
- Performing calculations to assess exposure risks
- Testing and calibrating monitoring equipment
- Recording and communicating results to teams
- Supporting emergency response.
- Using overhead travelling cranes and forklift trucks
Qualifications obtained
- Level 2 Nuclear Health Physics Monitor Apprenticeship (ST0290)
- Health Physics Monitoring in the Nuclear Industry (Theory) Level 2
- Level 2 NVQ in Radiation Protection
- IOSH Working Safely
This is a 2.5 year program with standard office hours: Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 16:00, and Friday from 08:00 to 15:00. You will be required to wear personal protective equipment when working in radiologically designated areas, and respiratory protective equipment may be necessary at times. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on science and engineering experience while exploring various areas of the RAL site.
Person Specification
In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Key - (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.
Essential:
- Achieved or predicted to achieve 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
- Interest in radiation safety (S&I)
- Able to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team (S&I)
- Experience of using Microsoft Office; including working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint (S)
- Interest in and enthusiasm for science (I)
Desirable:
- Proactive attitude. (I)
- Able to undertake calculations (I)
- Understand the need for document control (I)
Important Information
1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2025, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process.
If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.
We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on [email protected] if you have any questions.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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!
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
