Description
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 24 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026
Are you ready to take the first step into the world of business? Join us as a Business Administrator Apprentice and develop the skills that keep modern organisations running smoothly. From organising meetings and supporting teams to streamlining processes, you'll play a key role in making things happen.
This is a fantastic opportunity gaining a recognised qualification alongside hands-on experience in a supportive team that values growth, initiative, and fresh ideas.
If you're organised, eager to learn, and ready for a challenge, we'd love to hear from you
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.
You'll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator, structured training, practical experience, and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus, you'll have access to workshops, a peer network, and career development support, helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.
Why join the Estates group/ Soft Services team at STFC?
As a member of STFC's Estates Services you will proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC's vision, values and objectives. The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base therefore it is expected that the post holder will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach.
Qualifications gained
Business Administrator - Business administrator / Skills England
Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Business Administration - Abingdon & Witney College
What You'll Learn
* Understands organisational purpose, activities, aims, values, vision for the future, resources and the way that the political/economic environment affects the organisation.
* Knows organisational structure and demonstrates understanding of how their work benefits the organisation. Knows how they fit within their team and recognises how their skills can help them to progress their career.
* Has a practical knowledge of managing stakeholders and their differing relationships to an organisation. This includes internal and external customers, clients and/or suppliers. Liaises with internal/external customers, suppliers or stakeholders from inside or outside the UK. Engages and fosters relationships with suppliers and partner organisations.
* Understands laws and regulations that apply to their role including data protection, health & safety, compliance etc. Supports the company in applying the regulations.
* Understands the organisation's internal policies and key business policies relating to sector.
* Understands the applicability of business principles such as managing change, business finances and project management.
Training provider
As part of your Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, you will engage in structured professional development and training through a combination of online learning and 10 days of in-person teaching at Abingdon & Witney College, scheduled between September and December.
You will complete 12 formal assessments and receive dedicated support to develop the required skills and behaviours for your apprenticeship. This will include building a comprehensive portfolio of evidence and completing a work-based project, both of which are essential for your Independent End Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA will consist of knowledge test, portfolio-based interview & project/improvement presentation
More information is available via:
Business administrator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Business Administration - Abingdon & Witney College
What You'll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities
Operational Support
* Assist in scheduling contractual requirements for cleaning, catering, etc
* Help maintain service records and compliance checklists
* Participate in site inspections and audits with senior staff
Team Collaboration
* Work alongside service teams to understand daily operations
* Attend team briefings and contribute to service improvement ideas
* Shadow experienced coordinators to learn best practices
Customer Service
* Respond to basic service queries and escalate issues appropriately
* Develop knowledge of health & safety, COSHH, and service standards
* Responsibility for maintaining shared email inboxes and post boxes, including replying in a timely manner, answering queries where necessary.
Entry Requirements
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
We are looking for the following:
* GCSEs in 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 (I)
* Friendly, approachable, and ready to help customers and colleagues (S&I)
* A team player who's also confident working independently (S&I)
* Good level of attention to details (S&I)
* Understand the need for document control (S&I)
* Confident using a computer, especially tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook (S&I)
Important Information
* 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 2026, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
* 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.
* 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 if you have any questions.
Employee Benefits
* Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship, in line with policy.
* 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
* Flexible working hours.
* An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
* Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities.
* Cycle to work scheme.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here:
How to apply
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.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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