Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: £23,186
Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 Years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025
Join STFC's award winning apprenticeships - we are Investors In People gold standard accredited.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Level 6 (Degree) Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentice (Cyber Security pathway) to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). The NQCC oversees diverse projects for classical and quantum technologies, aiding quantum computer development in our labs. This involves intricate software, high-performance computing, security, and collaborations. You will be working alongside systems engineers, scientists, engineers, developers, and colleagues who can provide guidance on quantum technologies, helping to secure the UK's quantum computing capabilities.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC With training and support from your team 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 .
Key responsibilities include: - Communicate and work with fellow team members daily.
- Communicate with users, scientists, engineers and management to understand their requirements and translate these into a specification.
- Take an active role in both technical and non-technical meetings.
- Show initiative especially regarding learning new things.
- Work independently at times and ask questions if unsure.
- Take responsibility for ensuring your work does what is needed and meets the quality criteria specified.
- Write documentation for technical and non-technical users.
- Analyse evidence and data in order to solve problems.
- Help deploy solutions to production and help provide support after release.
- Use a variety of tools and technologies used by the teams to develop and run software and computer systems.
- Present a topic to a small group of people and answer questions.
- Participate in the wider department and STFC apprentice training programme.
- Partake in the promotion activities for NQCC, STFC and STEM.
Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training as part of a cohort of computing apprentices with Buckinghamshire New University completing the Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Analyst pathway .
You will learn with a blend of self-directed study (using content provided by the university) and tutor-led sessions. Sessions are delivered by a mixture of online delivery and face-to-face sessions. Online sessions will be delivered once per week via a Virtual Learning Environment and will include a mix of group-based discussions, self-study, team activities, self-reflection and personal development. Face-to-face sessions are run throughout the year based on demand from learners.
In your final year, you will also complete your work-based project before undertaking your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include a presentation between the university and STFC, covering the work-based project, your approach, outcome and the skills, knowledge and behaviours demonstrated. This will be assessed as part of the overall project assessment.
You will be supported in developing a portfolio of work-based projects to build and demonstrate the required skills, behaviours and knowledge required for this apprenticeship.
The qualifications you will achieve are: - BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions
- Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Professional
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 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
- A minimum of 104 UCAS points - two A levels at grade A or above OR three A levels at grade C or above OR a BTEC Level 3 in Computing (or similar subject) or equivalent (Please give subjects and results / expected results in CV) (S)
- Good written communication skills and the ability to work in a team as demonstrated in your CV and cover letter (S)
- Some knowledge of and enthusiasm for computer hardware and software (S&I)
- Your CV and/or cover letter should explain why you have applied for this computing apprenticeship scheme and should contain example(s) of personal or school projects that involved learning about and using a computer system and what you enjoyed. (S&I)
- Ability to /examine evidence and data in order to understand it and solve problems (S&I)
- As a minimum, a successful candidate will be able to work systematically through straightforward problems, examine data, and link it to their understanding of computer systems in order find the cause of problems (S&I)
Desirable: - Experience in customer-focused roles such as retail, OR examples of how you've helped others in educational or personal settings (S&I)
- A flair for communicating in clear, positive terms; understanding that helping staff of all abilities understand problems and solutions is central to successful customer service. (S&I)
This role requires successful attainment of enhanced security clearance
Due to the requirement of obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, we are only able to accept applications from persons who have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years. We cannot sponsor visa applications for this role. 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
[email protected] 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.
Additional Information
- Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
- External Closing Date: Feb 16, 2025
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 23,186
- Hours: Full-time
