Apprentice Assistant Research Technician – College of Engineering and Physical Sciences -101259AP – Apprentice Grade 3 Full-time NEW

Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary £20,494 per annum rising to £25,618 after 12 months service.

Apprentice Grade 3

Full Time / Fixed Term for 30 Months

Apprenticeship Standard: Engineering operative standard Level 2

Training Provider: Performance Through People

Closing date: 22 March 2026 – please upload a CV with your application.

You have normally been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years. For exemptions please refer to the government funding rules for apprenticeships.

You will usually be required to attend the training provider in Walsall one day per week and should ensure you are able to travel to the site.

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Apprenticeship context

The School of Engineering is developing and supporting the next generation of engineers to lead the response to the key societal challenges of the 21st century. This is through producing world-leading research that is impactful for industry and wider society, and which addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They work with public and private sector to influence decision-making and help shape the future infrastructure of the UK and wider world.

Apprenticeship summary

The apprentice will have a fantastic opportunity to be involved in teaching and research across the School of Engineering where you will learn to perform technical support duties and be trained in the use of a range equipment and techniques, under the day-to-day supervision of experienced technical staff as designated by the technical managers.

While in the School of Engineering the post holder will be given the opportunity to cement their learning with a program that will involve working alongside experienced technicians across the School of Engineering, learning techniques and processes that can work towards the End Point Assessment.

During this apprenticeship you will learn the following

• To carry out specified techniques, tests, or experiments as directed.
• Identify simple problems, resolve them where appropriate, and recognise when issues should be referred to your manager.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare routine documentation related to your duties.
• Ensure the health, safety, and cleanliness of the immediate work area by encouraging staff and students to comply with University/College Health & Safety policies, and by reporting any issues to your Line Manager, Technical Manager, Laboratory Manager, or College Safety Advisor as appropriate.
• Confirm that all required assessments are in place, approved, and kept up to date.
• Carry out regular maintenance activities as required, ensuring accurate records are maintained.
• Report any breaches or non-compliance with health and safety procedures to the Line Manager, Technical Manager, Laboratory Manager, or College Safety Advisor.
• Ensure waste disposal is carried out correctly for laboratory, recycled, and general waste streams.
• Adopt a proactive approach to supporting and implementing carbon reduction and energy-saving initiatives.
• Assist with stock control and inform the Line Manager when replacement items are required.
• Receive and store consumables and chemical reagents correctly and safely.
• Report any problems with equipment or services to the Line Manager or an appropriate colleague.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Line Manager or Technical Managers.

You will be expected to engage fully with the University of Birmingham apprenticeship scheme, attending mandatory group days and contributing to the successful promotion of the scheme by representing your department in a positive manner.

This apprenticeship would suit someone with a keen interest in engineering who is looking to develop a career as a technician at one of the UK’s leading Universities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• At least 5 GCSEs (A*- C / 4-9 or equivalent) including Mathematics, English and preferably Physics.
• An enthusiastic, flexible and keen learner who is reliable and dedicated to an apprenticeship.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload after consultation with supervisor and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area.
• Basic understanding of commonly used software packages.
• An enquiring mind with an aptitude to solve mechanical problems.

Career Pathway

Engineering Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Fitter

Construction and Plant Work

For enquiries please email: apprenticeships@contacts.bham.ac.uk

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.