Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3 Location: Ascot Compensation: £17,290 - £18,200 / year Description Location: 4 Queen's Square, Ascot SL5 9FE Working for Alchemy Ingredients Ltd Alchemy Ingredients Limited, based in Ascot in the UK, is a naturally-focused cosmetic lab that develops easy-to-use, high-performance, naturally-derived ingredients to replace synthetic raw materials in cosmetics. They started with expertise in sugar-based thickeners and have pioneered a growing range of innovative products including natural emulsifiers, gelling agents, rheology modifiers, and novel oil‑to‑milk or oil‑to‑foam systems—all designed to solve formulators’ challenges in areas like thickening, texture, transparency, emulsion stability, and mattifying effects Alchemy Ingredients are formulators and we create reassuringly natural functional ingredients that solve formulating problems. Every time we've had a eureka moment in the lab, we've used it to make our ingredients easier and more straightforward to use. Our people are technical and creative - an inspiring combination. We are now seeking an enthusiastic individual to join the team as a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprentice! Find out more about Alchemy Ingredients here: Website LinkedIn Youtube The Package Starting salary: £17,290 - £18,200 per annum (dependent on age) Working hours: 35 hours per week Monday - Friday, 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays Annual leave increases by 1 day with each year of service, up to 3 years Company closure between Christmas and New Year 6% employer pension contribution Optional Private Healthcare Scheme Cycle to Work Scheme Regular company events Team charity day once per year Regular training and CPD opportunities What will I be doing as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice? This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the formulation, testing, and development of innovative cosmetic ingredients. As an apprentice, you will work alongside experienced cosmetic scientists, supporting the development of ingredients for skincare, haircare, and other beauty products from concept through to production: Assist in the preparation and formulation of cosmetic prototypes according to defined specifications and safety standards. Accurately weigh and measure raw materials using laboratory equipment. Maintain detailed and organised records of formulations, test results, and observations. Perform stability, compatibility, and sensory testing under supervision. Clean, calibrate, and maintain laboratory equipment and workspaces to ensure a safe and efficient environment. Assist with inventory management of raw materials and lab supplies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Quality and Marketing to support project timelines. Stay up to date with cosmetic industry trends, ingredients, and regulatory standards. What could the future look like? When you join Alchemy Ingredients, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship. Through practical training on the job, you can look forward to a range of potential career paths in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, automotive, or research and development. There is a growing demand for skilled laboratory professionals in various sectors. This apprenticeship program also serves as a stepping-stone towards a rewarding career in laboratory testing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science technician (RSci Tech). This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement such as our Level 6 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Chemisty Apprenticeship, enabling you to take on more specialised roles or progress into leadership positions. Rest assured, your hard work and determination will not go unnoticed! Knowledge, Skills and Experience About you This is a very hands on and practical role, so you should be willing to get stuck in and be hungry to learn from the offset! A passion for cosmetic science and product development is the key to success in this position – as you grow in this role, you’ll have the opportunity to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the world of cosmetics, so it’s really important that you’re a confident contributor who doesn’t shy away from trying something new or sharing ideas! We’re looking for someone who is focused and careful in all aspects of work. You’ll need to bring good attention to detail, be an accurate record keeper and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. An inquisitive nature is crucial to succeeding in this apprenticeship – you’ll be confident in asking questions, you’ll want to find out why things work the way they do and you’ll love to bring initiative when challenges arise. To succeed in this apprenticeship, you’ll need bags of enthusiasm, be a fantastic collaborator and be hungry to learn! Please note, because of the nature and responsibilities of this position, you must be aged 18, be able to reliably commute to site within 45 minutes and some heavy lifting may be required. Qualifications To thrive in this position, you will need to hold a grade 5 or above in Level 2 Maths and English. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are also driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role! Experience We’re not just interested in experience and qualifications; we’re looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Alchemy Ingredients. So how does the apprenticeship work? At Tiro we’re obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can’t wait to have you on board. Over 20 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Alchemy Ingredients who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career. Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment. The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme! Eligibility While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government. As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise. If you already hold a degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway. You’ll need to be over 16, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.