Apprentice Laboratory Technician, Biology (Animal Physiology Crop Protection)

Job description
The Princess Margaret and Elizabeth Creak Laboratory Team is a central service support team responsible for the provision of laboratory services to the University. We ensure the provision of practical classes to taught students and support to research students and staff in four key subject areas: Soils and Environmental Science; Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Animal Health; General Biology; Nutrition. We are a team consisting of 12 permanent staff with different professional backgrounds and experiences. We also have two placement students.

Harper Adams is a proud signatory of the Technician Commitment and has pledged to take action to ensure the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical skills, roles and careers of its technicians.

Main Duties, Responsibilities, Qualifications and Experience:

You will play a key role in our team, preparing and setting up lab equipment, materials and reagents for practical sessions and providing research support in the area of general biology (anatomy and physiology; agronomy).

Starting as a laboratory technician on grade 4, you will study alongside your job and complete a Level 6 Degree Laboratory Bio-scientist apprenticeship with an apprenticeship provider, TIRO (https://tiro.co.uk/programmes/degree-laboratory-bioscientist/?nab=1).

On successful completion of all your level 4 modules and providing your work performance is good you will progress to grade 5 on the pay spine. Then, on the successful completion of your level 5 modules and with good work performance you will progress to being a grade 6 senior technician.

Normal working hours are typically 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, 32 weeks of the year covering Harper Adams University term time. However, you will be expected to work flexibly and sometimes start earlier or finish later depending on business needs, for which time off in lieu will be given. Examples include clearing away classes which finish at 6pm or starting early to ensure refrigerated specimens are put out in time for a 9am class.

If you have any queries or questions or for an informal discussion, please contact Dr Victoria Talbot vtalbot@harper-adams.ac.uk or Richard Page rpage@harper-adams.ac.uk having first downloaded and read through the full job description and person specification.

For further information about the University, or to see full job description, please visit our website at www.harper-adams.ac.uk

Application Procedure:

Please apply online submitting a CV and covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability for the position using the Harper Adams e-Recruitment programme at http://jobs.harper-adams.ac.uk by midnight on 04 August 2025.

As the role involves working in laboratories, please describe any relevant experience you may have, include any experience gained in school or college, or on a work placement. If you do not have any relevant experience, please explain your interest in working in a laboratory.

Should you require any adjustments to complete your application for this role then please contact vacancies@harper-adams.ac.uk

Please note that this post will not be eligible for sponsorship. Read more