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: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026
Are you passionate about how things work and love solving technical problems? Join us as an Engineering Apprentice and kick-start your future in a dynamic, hands-on role.
Whether you're fascinated by machines, electronics, design, or innovation, this is your chance to turn passion into profession. You'll earn while you learn, gain real-world experience on exciting projects, work alongside expert engineers who will mentor and support you and build skills that open doors to a rewarding career in engineering where every day is different.
If you're ready to build the future—one project at a time, we want 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 Engineering Rotational Scheme at STFC?
* Earn while you learn with a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship
* Gain hands-on experience in world-class facilities
* Work on projects that support cutting-edge science and innovation
* Build skills that open doors to a rewarding career in engineering
You will specialise in one of three disciplines: mechanical, electrical or electronic
Whichever path you take, you'll start with the basics and progress to complex projects that support world-leading science.
Through our QuEST programme and partnership with Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), you'll build a strong foundation in high-value skills such as:
* Precision fitting, milling, and turning
* Surface mount soldering and electronic systems
* High purity gas systems and machine welding
* Scientific vacuum technology and cryogenics
Qualifications gained
* Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship – Single Discipline
Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England
* L4 HNC (subject to eligibility criteria)
What you'll learn:
* Safe working practices and engineering regulations
* How to set up and operate manual, CNC, and EDM machines
* Producing and interpreting technical drawings, CAD files, and procedures
* Using engineering methods to identify problems and create solutions
* Collaborating with engineers, technicians, and scientists from around the world
Training provider
Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS)
Programme Structure
* Year 1: Full-time training at OAS in Culham, rotating through 4–6 week blocks. Supplemented with QuEST modules delivered by STFC staff in collaboration with UKAEA, covering technologies for Quantum, Fusion, and high-tech engineering.
* Year 2: On-the-job training at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with rotational placements in your chosen discipline, plus continued OAS blocks.
* Years 3–4: Fully embedded in the workplace, applying your skills in real-world engineering environments as you progress toward becoming a qualified Engineering Technician.
Travel to OAS is required, with excess costs covered.
For more information about the training provider, please visit: Level 3 Apprenticeships | OAS
What You'll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities
As a rotating engineering apprentice your main duties/responsibilities will include working under the guidance and support of your team within each placement.
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be expected to support scientists from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.
In the different disciplines:
Mechanical Apprentice
* You'll help make mechanical parts and assemblies using both modern technology and traditional methods.
* At first, you'll work in manual machining workshops to practice the skills you learned in your first year.
* Later, you'll move into different areas such as:
* CNC machining (computer-controlled machines)
* Technician roles working with vacuum systems, gases, cryogenics etc
* Design work using a range of CAD and simulation engineering tools
Electrical Apprentice
* You'll learn how to install different types of cabling, from small control wires to large high-voltage cables.
* You'll practice soldering tiny components, sometimes under a microscope.
* You'll also learn how to set up trunking and conduit (protective channels for cables), and how to test, repair, and maintain electrical systems.
There are opportunities to:
* Work on electrical design using CAD software
* Learn automation and controls, including programming PLC/HMI systems
* Help commission (set up and test) these systems for real applications
Electronic Apprentice
* You'll work with advanced electronics, from small chips to large data systems used in global scientific research.
* Early on, you'll practice core skills like soldering, crimping, building prototype boards, and using test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.).
* As you progress, you'll move into fault finding, designing, and building circuits.
* You'll handle a wide range of technologies, from high-voltage circuits to printed circuit boards with components smaller than a grain of rice.
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 (I)
* A genuine interest in science, engineering, or technology and the work of STFC (S&I)
* An interest in how things work and a willingness to develop technical skills through hands-on experience (S&I)
* Enjoys solving problems, thinking things through, and coming up with ideas that work (I)
* Passion for technical projects related to this apprenticeship (S&I)
* Confident using a computer, especially tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook (S)
Important Information
* To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence 5 GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C (or equivalent) including 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.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
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
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.
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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.
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.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.
One of Europe's largest research organisations, we're trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we're driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit
You can also visit our careers site