Physics Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3, advanced)

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market leading pension

270 hours holiday + every other Friday

Discounts portal

Employee Assistance Programme

Occupational Health services

Job summary

The Atomic Weapons Establishment in the Reading area is offering a Physics Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level 3, advanced). You will rotate through placements, learn to handle optical equipment, participate in experiments and safety training, and gain hands-on skills in a high‑security laboratory environment.

5 GCSEs including Maths and English are required; British nationals aged 18+ by Aug 31, 2027. Starting salary £16,750 with progression during the 24‑month programme, plus generous

Qualifications

• Excellent team working skills.
• Good communication skills.
• An awareness of why health and safety is important.
• The ability to follow instructions carefully.
• The ability to concentrate for long periods.
• A genuine interest in practical science and laboratory work.
• Confidence using a computer, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Preparing and setting up optical equipment, such as lenses, mirrors and lasers.
• Helping to build and measure parts of complex physics experiments.
• Using equipment that helps scientists collect information from experiments.
• Using specialist laboratory equipment safely and correctly.
• Checking results and reporting what you find clearly and accurately.
• Working safely in a laboratory environment.
• Understanding how to work safely around hazardous substances, including radioactive and explosive materials.
• Understanding quality standards and why they matter in a laboratory.
• Developing customer service skills, such as communicating clearly and supporting others.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

H&S awareness

Follow instructions

Concentration

Interest in science

MS Office

Education

GCSEs required

Job description

Physics Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3, advanced)

About AWE

We’rea team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of ourNATOallies. Our work is critical. We’redelivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – fromcounter‑terrorismto global nuclear test monitoring to building a world‑class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security. At AWE,you’llfind more than just a job.You’llfind purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whetheryou'rejust starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of somethingtruly unique.Be extraordinary at AWE.

About The Apprenticeship

As a Physics Laboratory Technician Apprentice, you’ll start with an induction to help you settle in, before moving into different placements across the business. Experimental Physics at AWE involves studying unusual materials in extreme conditions. Your placements could include working with powerful lasers and using specialist equipment to understand how materials behave. During your apprenticeship journey, you will learn the following skills:

• Preparing and setting up optical equipment, such as lenses, mirrors and lasers
• Helping to build and measure parts of complex physics experiments
• Using equipment that helps scientists collect information from experiments
• Using specialist laboratory equipment safely and correctly
• Checking results and reporting what you find clearly and accurately
• Working safely in a laboratory environment
• Understanding how to work safely around hazardous substances, including radioactive and explosive materials
• Understanding quality standards and why they matter in a laboratory
• Developing customer service skills, such as communicating clearly and supporting others

In addition, you will also be given the opportunity for personal development through activities such as team building challenges, organisational awareness presentations, health and safety workshops and charity projects. A part of this role will require wearing Health and Safety equipment such as a respirator. Therefore, successful candidates will need to undergo a medical assessment for suitability for the position within the required parameters for the health and safety equipment’s requirements.

Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship On completing your apprenticeship you will use the skills you have developed to take on a technician role within the Physics subfunction, supporting the development and execution of experiments and trials using facilities at and external to AWE. ApprenticeshipStandard ST0248

About You

• Excellent team working skills
• Good communication skills
• An awareness of why health and safety is important
• The ability to follow instructions carefully
• The ability to concentrate for long periods
• A genuine interest in practical science and laboratory work
• Confidence using a computer, including Microsoft Office programmes such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Doing practical laboratory work as well as some office-based tasks
• Learning about science, engineering and new technology
• Enjoy problem solving
• Enjoy working as part of a wider team

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths, English and 6/B in Science. Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027.

The Benefits:

• A starting salary of £16,750 yearly, increasing to TBC in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter‑terrorism.

Location: Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on your apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on-site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on-site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands‑on support and build valuable connections across the business.

Start Date:1st September 2027

Annual leave will not be granted from1st September until1st October due to mandatory inductions youare required tocomplete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.

Apprenticeship Duration: 24 monthsplus3 months End Point Assessment.

Recruitment Process

Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Don’t be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.

In-person Assessment Centre:Those successful at testing will be invited toanassessmentcentre.TheAssessment Centres are scheduled for21st January 2027.Please note that these dates may be subject to change, but rest assured,we’llkeep all applicants informed throughout the process.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain andmaintainthe necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.

Contact us If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [e-mail]

These roles require you to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role, which will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.