Apprenticeship - Assistant Scientist

Company Description

The role

This is a Level 4 apprenticeship opportunity within the Natural Resources Analysis Services Wales (NRS) team. During your apprenticeship, you will combine academic study with practical experience in a professional laboratory environment, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviors required for a successful career in analytical science.

Working from the NRW laboratory at Swansea University, you will spend time working across all three Analytical Services departments: Service Delivery, Inorganic and Organic. This method of rotation between each will provide a broad experience of laboratory operations, analytical techniques and quality processes, helping you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the services provided by an accredited environmental laboratory.

You will be accountable to the Organic Team Leader, who will support your development throughout the apprenticeship and co-ordinate your placements across the different departments. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will contribute to providing accurate, reliable and timely analytical results that support NRW’s environmental and regulatory monitoring responsibilities.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop practical scientific skills, while contributing to work that helps protect and improve Wales’ natural resources.

To make an informal inquiry about this role, please contact Natalie Dudley-Burton at [email protected]

Interviews will be face to face on 10/08/2026 (location details will be shared in advance)

About us

The Natural Resources Wales Analytical Services laboratory is based at Swansea University and provides high quality analytical testing services that support environmental monitoring, regulation and evidence gathering across Wales.

The laboratory consists of three specialist departments: Providing Services, Inorganic and Organic. Together, these teams provide accurate and reliable analytical data that informs environmental decision-making and helps protect Wales’ natural resources.

What you will do

• Support the Analysis Services teams with day-to-day laboratory activities that contribute to the provision of accurate, reliable and timely analysis services.
• Apply what you learned during your apprenticeship in real laboratory settings, gaining experience in areas such as sample preparation, use of analytical equipment and techniques, and assisting with routine laboratory tasks under appropriate supervision.
• Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across the Service Delivery, Inorganic and Organic teams, contributing positively to team objectives and supporting the smooth operation of the laboratory.
• Support laboratory administrative activities, including accurate data entry, maintaining documentation, and using laboratory information systems and ICT in accordance with established procedures.
• Help the laboratory meet health, safety and quality standards by following procedures, working safely, identifying problems and reporting concerns to experienced staff.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the position.
• A commitment to  the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy  of Natural Resources Wales, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the position.
• Being committed to your own development and making effective use of your personal development plan (known as the Conversation)
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills 

In your application and interview, you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using  the STAR method.

1. At least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science.
2. A relevant Level 3 science qualification, such as a BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Certificate in Applied Science, or A Levels / AS Levels in science related subjects.
3. Basic ICT skills to record data, maintain documentation and support laboratory processes.
4. Sufficient literacy and numeracy skills to record results correctly and follow written procedures.
5. Awareness of laboratory environments and interest in developing technical skills within the context of analytical science.

Welsh language requirements

• Essential: Level A1 – Entry Level

Welsh language requirements

Note : If you do not meet the A1 requirements, ie the ability to understand basic sentences and pronounce Welsh names correctly, NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these basic requirements during your employment with us.

Additional information

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date. 

Unless stated otherwise in the ‘Role’ section of this advertisement, Natural Resources Wales cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we have a license for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, it only applies to specific roles that meet the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route. 

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• the Civil Service Pension scheme   which offers 28.97% employer contributions (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous absences for all your needs in life
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellness hour that you can choose when to use

See full details for all the  benefits you will get as an employee.

Keep reading

We are passionate about creating a creative and diverse workforce and encourage applications from underrepresented communities. We operate a policy of equal opportunities regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.   

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for applicants with disabilities who meet the required criteria.

We wish to attract and retain talented and skilled staff, so we ensure that our pay scales remain competitive. Salary scales are indicated on job descriptions when advertising. The people appointed start at the first point of the scale, with a step-by-step increase each year.

We want our staff to develop professionally and personally. From developing their leadership skills to accessing further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge in a variety of subjects, maintain their knowledge of the latest developments in their field and continue to learn as their career develops.  

We are a bilingual organization that complies with Welsh Language Standards and is committed to equal opportunities. Welsh skills are considered an asset to the organisation, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh skills in the workplace. 

You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who want to work full-time, part-time or share the job.