Healthcare Science Laboratory/Biosample Technician Apprenticeships

Job overview

Have you just completed your exams? Are you interested in starting a science apprenticeship? Would you like to be paid to develop your skills and gain a science qualification whilst working in an NHS setting?  If you are enthusiastic and motivated to do well, this might be just what you are looking for!

We are delighted to offer an entry level Healthcare Science Apprenticeship in our Clinical Research Facility Department. Join the Cambridge Clinical Research Facility as a Biosample Apprentice and gain hands-on experience supporting cutting-edge clinical research. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in sample handling, processing, and data management within a supportive, multidisciplinary team, contributing directly to improving patient care and advancing medical science. You will also visit the Pathology Department where you will shadow and assist staff with cutting-edge genetic technologies and preventing disease.

All staff, regardless of their role contribute to CUH’s aim to provide the best possible outcomes and experiences for patients.  Come and join your local hospitals (Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie) and be supported to earn as you learn whilst undertaking a nationally recognised qualification.

Main duties of the job

As an Apprentice Healthcare Science Assistant, you will be providing support with practical and administrative tasks to help facilitate the smooth running of the laboratory and provide technical support to assist the scientific staff. Duties include assisting with the day-to-day laboratory housekeeping and processes, carrying out routine laboratory maintenance, collecting samples, preparing buffers and reagents, admin tasks such as scanning sample requests and assisting with the maintenance of general laboratory records and filing systems (please see attached Job Description for a full list of duties).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Come and join us and be supported to earn as you learn whilst undertaking a nationally recognised qualification. You will study a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.  Applicants should have an interest in science and have a GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Science, Maths and English (or equivalent qualification (i.e. functional skills)). You will be new to this role and will be able to learn and build new skills. You will be enthusiastic, have a positive work ethic, be keen to learn and able to work in a team.  In return, you will receive support to gain a wide range of experiences and skills, supervision and mentoring.

The contract length is between 18 to 27 months and the apprenticeship salary on commencement is £16,258; after 12 months in post this will increase to the National Minimum Wage.  The Trust is proud of its values of Together – Safe, Kind and Excellent and looks to provide its staff with support, training and progression opportunities; towards the end of your apprenticeship contract you will be supported by the Apprenticeship Team to apply for permanent employment.  We have a high success rate of apprentices who have gained further employment within the Trust, many continuing to study further higher level and degree apprenticeships.

There is no upper age limit on joining us as an apprentice.

We also have apprenticeships in nursing which are subject to different terms. For more information on the Nursing Apprenticeship scheme please check our website https://www.careers.cuh.nhs.uk

NB: Due to UK apprenticeship funding regulations applicants must have:

• The right to work in the UK

• Been a UK resident for the last three consecutive years

• If residing in the UK with a visa, documents that are not be due to expire during the term of the apprenticeship contract

• EU citizens need to hold pre-settled or settled status or have indefinite leave to remain with also meeting the above criteria

• Not already achieved a qualification in the same subject matter at an equivalent or higher level

This vacancy will close at midnight on 3rd August 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 20th August 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.