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SalaryScience and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £21,700 per annum
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term for 4 years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury
Closing Date: 18th February 2024
Interview Date: W/C 18th March 2024
Start Date: September 2024
At the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) you belong to a community of experts who are driving science and technology forward. STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, 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. Our incredible diversity of research, technology and engineering projects truly fire the imagination and lead to real-world solutions which shape societies and transform lives.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Level 6 (Degree) Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentice to join our Technology Department at Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire. The Technology Department provides technology, engineering and support to STFC’s current and future facilities and programmes, with 325 technical and scientific staff acting as a single department across two sites at the Daresbury Laboratory and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Oxfordshire). Our work is only possible with dedicated teams that are capable of turning scientific objectives into reality.
The Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Software Engineer Apprentice will be based within the Control Systems and Safety Interlocks Group, which is responsible for the design and development of state-of-the-art control and safety systems for several particle accelerators and large scientific facilities both within STFC and in collaboration with other national and international organisations. The Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice will gain first-hand experience working as part of a professional team, supported by theoretical and practical learning. You will have the opportunity to make an impact early on in your role, where you’ll also learn the specialist skills tailored to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required as a computing professional.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
Main duties/responsibilities will include:
- System and application-level software development
- Device interfacing and integration
- User interface design
- Computer networking
- Real-time and embedded computing systems
Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training through a mix of day-release and block teaching with Manchester Metropolitan University completing the Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship – Software Engineering. Travel expenses will be provided when attending in-person teaching.
The modules you will complete will be a combination of general computing principles applicable to all occupational areas, with specialist units focused on the requirements of developing competencies in a Software Engineering role. For more information visit: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/apprenticeships/courses/digital-technology-solutions
Year 1:
- Introduction to Programming
- Introduction to Business Systems
- Database Fundamentals
- Digital Technology in Organisations and Society
Year 2:
- IT Project Management
- Networks and Security
- Advanced Programming
- Introduction to Web Development
Year 3:
- Software Design and Architecture
- Full Stack Web Development
- Enterprise Programming
- Operating Systems
Year 4:
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
- Portfolio
- Optional Unit*
- Synoptic Project
- a range of optional units will be available to choose from in your 4th year
In your final year, you will also complete your work-based project before undertaking your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include a presentation between the university and STFC, covering the work-based project, your approach, outcome and the skills, knowledge and behaviours demonstrated. This will be assessed as part of the overall project assessment.
You will be supported in developing a portfolio of work-based projects to build and demonstrate the required skills, behaviours and knowledge required for this apprenticeship.
The qualifications you will achieve are:
- BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions
- Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Professional
For more information about the apprenticeship standard, please visit the IfATE website https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-v1-2
Person specification (Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and any special requirements)
In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
- Achieved or predicted to achieve 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English
- A minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points at A Level ( x 3 subjects at grades BCC or above) or an equivalent Level 3 qualification i.e., BTEC National Diploma (D,M,M) (S)
- Please ensure that the subjects studied, and results are included within your CV
- A strong and demonstrable interest in technology and computing (S&I)
- Your CV and/or Cover Letter should give examples of personal or school/college projects that involved learning about using a programming language and/or hardware, and what you have enjoyed about this
- Familiarity with the concept of a computer operating system (S)
- You will be able to describe / demonstrate awareness of the range of computer operating systems. It is expected you may be stronger in one area that the other
- Some experience with computer programming in any language (S)
- For instance, you may have written a simple programme, web page or app in any programming language
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (S&I)
- Quality of Covering Letter (S&I)
- Particularly addressing the requirements of the role and which demonstrates an interest in Computing
- Enthusiasm for systematic problem solving (S&I)
- Interest in scientific research (S)
Desirable:
- Familiarity with Linux operating system (S&I)
- Experience with C/C++ (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, and proof of A-Level/BTEC grades (or 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.
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.
We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org 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.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
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 www.ukri.org.
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, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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.
