The Francis Crick Institute
Apprentice Service Engineer
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Details of the role:
Working pattern:
This is a 4 year fixed-term position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
Salary:
From £28,910 per annum, rising in annual increments with the salary being £46,471 per annum in year four of the apprenticeship, subject to regular progress reviews and milestone achievements.
To apply for this role, you must:
- Be a Camden resident, former Camden secondary school student or Camden care leaver or be a resident of one of the other LIFT Futures boroughs (Islington or Hackney)
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Have lived in the EU or UK for the last 3 years (except if you are an asylum seeker or refugee)
- NOT already have an NVQ level 3 (or higher) in Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician or a similar subject.
- Meet the suitability criteria as set by the training provider assigned to the apprenticeship.
- Have a GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths, English and Science
Application closing date:
17th of July 2026 at 23.59
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role
This is not your average Apprentice Service Engineer role. This is an opportunity to launch your engineering career at one of the world's leading biomedical research institutes as an Apprentice Service Engineer – Scientific Equipment Care (SEC).
As part of the Scientific Equipment Care team, you'll play a vital role in keeping research running by diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a diverse range of scientific equipment used in cutting edge biomedical research.
Working alongside expert engineers, you'll gain hands on experience, develop valuable technical skills, earn a recognised qualification and build the foundations for a rewarding career. Along the way, you'll contribute to innovative research and scientific discoveries that are advancing our understanding of life, and helping to address some of the world's most important scientific challenges. Experience working with scientific equipment, in high-containment environments and/or animal facilities would be beneficial but is not a must. What matters most is your attitude, curiosity, and desire to learn and develop within the engineering profession.
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In a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI, this is a career where practical skills, technical expertise and human problem solving remain essential. You'll learn how to work with advanced technologies in a smart building environment, building specialist engineering capabilities that will be highly valued for years to come, giving you the skills, experience and confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving engineering and scientific sector.
What you will be doing
You will be:
- Planning and conducting planned maintenance activities on Scientific equipment/instruments
- Planning and conducting reactive maintenance tasks on scientific equipment / instruments
- Maintaining quality performance standards of systems through routine test and calibration
- Managing the work of external service engineers
- Identifying specialist skills training for new technologies relevant to role
- Ensuring all work is carried out in a safe manner and equipment worked on/with complies with statutory regulation such as COSHH, PUWER and IET electrical safety standards
- Maintaining equipment / instrument maintenance history via the CAFM(Planon) system
- Providing an equipment / instrument development service to develop new novel / unique devices for science
Please see full job description attached
As part of the apprenticeship:
- Attend all college classes
- Record practical work required for your course(s) in the prescribed manner
- Attend apprentice learning events run by the Crick
- Fully engage in review meetings with your manager and training provider
- Maintain agreed progress in all theory and practical work required for your apprenticeship
- To conduct work as required by your mentor / practical trainer
- To gain experience and knowledge and engineering skills to enable you to become competent to work as you progress through your apprenticeship
- Comply with Crick Policy and Procedures including but not limited to safety, health and sustainability
About you
You will have:
- A GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths, English and Science.*
- Ability to communicate well in order to explain technical issues to non-technical personnel
- Mechanical aptitude
- Ability to read and interpret engineering diagrams*
- Demonstrable experience of electronic electrical and fault-finding and repair of a wide range of devices*
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Minimum criteria* + Additional information stated above
About Working at the Crick
Our values
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture.
We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: futuretalent@camden.gov.uk
Find out more about life at the Crick.
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What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well-being:
- 24/7 GP consultation services.
- Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance:
- Back-up care for dependents.
- Childcare support allowance.
- Annual leave purchase options.
- Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
- Perks:
- Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
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