Apprenticeships

Current opportunities

Science apprenticeships

The Department currently runs two apprenticeships within the science discipline:

Level 3 Laboratory Technician

This is for people who have no experience of working in a laboratory but would like to start. The course gives you the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing (and manufacturing where relevant) and perform a variety of technical support functions across the Department.

Level 6 Technician Scientist

This course will develop your skills further so you can carry out established laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using bench and instrumentation techniques.

  • Apply a range of skills and follow well-established principles.
  • Carry out routine lines of enquiry, development, or investigation.
  • Collect scientific information and analyse, interpret, and evaluate data.
  • Prepare results and provide progress updates on their work.

By undertaking an apprenticeship with the Laboratory Technician team, you will learn how best to support and assist research.

Mechanical Engineering apprenticeships

The Cavendish Technical Services offer a Level 3 Mechanical Engineering qualification apprenticeship:

  • Our apprentices start in the student workshop to develop the foundation to become a machinist. Here you will learn hand fitting, manual machining, basic materials, and CAD/CAM knowledge. You will also be introduced to the CNCs.
  • Cad Cam Training on fusion 360 is provided to develop your design skills and offline programming
  • Once ready you will move into the main workshop to carry out CNC Training on lathes, Mills and EDM machines
  • As an integral part of the Cavendish Technical Services, you will be exposed to a wide variety of jobs and materials making this a great place to learn and gain the skills you need.

Get in touch to find out more and apply.

Case studies

“I chose an apprenticeship because I felt I had more to learn.”

Hear our apprentices explain in their own words how they developed hands-on skills, discovered new perspectives and took important steps to an exciting career in physics through our apprenticeship programmes.

Meet Dylan Meet Oliwia Meet Abbie Meet Tom Meet Scott

Future apprentices

Thinking about what to do after you leave school?

If you are 16 years or older, insatiably curious about science and excited by the prospect of on-the-job training at the place of pioneering physics, then an apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn.

Or maybe you already work at the University and want to gain new skills or change roles. An apprenticeship at the Cavendish Laboratory could be the right path for you as you develop your rewarding career in physics.

Who can apply?

Anyone living in England* who is over the age of 16 and not in full-time education can apply, as well as existing staff at the University of Cambridge.

How long does an apprenticeship last?

Depending on the skills and levels required, an apprenticeship can last from one to four years.

What level of qualifications are required?

We have flexible entry levels, from GCSE and A Level and all the way up to Master’s.

How can you benefit from an apprenticeship at the Cavendish?

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study, and can be your path to a wide choice of careers. You’ll get the chance to work alongside leading physicists who want to make positive, real impact through their work and who will challenge and encourage you along the way.

  • Gain essential skills to kickstart your career or take a leap forward in your current role
  • Develop leadership and management expertise
  • Earn a wage and get holiday pay, with time for time for study and training (approximately one day a week)

*Residency requirements:

  • You must have the right to work in England.
  • You must be either:
    • a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
    • or a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.

Find out more on the University Personal and Professional Development (PPD) website