Junior Development Chemist Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) - DataLase

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L6

Location: Widnes

Compensation: £18,000 - £23,000 / year

Location: Widnes, Cheshire

Expected Start Date: July 2026

Working for DataLase

We provide ground-breaking, sustainable and environmentally efficient inkless printing solutions for products and packaging, enabling brand owners to connect with consumers in unique, dynamic and exciting ways.

Our technology facilitates real-time marketing capabilities and personalisation, helping brands respond quickly to changing consumer trends and demands.

By integrating digital printing at the point in the supply chain where it creates the most value, we help businesses maximise returns, promote integrity and minimise environmental impact.

About Company

The Package

• Salary £18,000 - 23,000 annually
• 21 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 32 hours Mon-Thurs 4 day working week
• Company pension contribution
• Free employee assistance program access
• Access to company health care
• Life assurance scheme

Key Responsibilities

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join the team to support day-to-day lab operations and provide technical assistance to ensure smooth and efficient workflows.

Skills

This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a future career in laboratory science, offering opportunities to develop a broad range of technical and scientific skills in a supportive environment:

• Support experienced chemists with the development and testing of coating formulations
• Learn about raw materials and how they interact within different products and processes
• Assist with laboratory testing, quality checks and recording results accurately
• Help prepare aqueous, solvent-based and UV-flexo coatings for evaluation
• Work collaboratively with technical and commercial teams across the business
• Develop an understanding of laboratory safety procedures and best practices
• Support day-to-day laboratory activities to ensure projects and customer requirements are met

About You

You’re naturally curious about chemistry and interested in understanding how substances interact, react, and behave under different conditions. You enjoy applying scientific principles in a practical setting, exploring why reactions happen and how they can be controlled or improved.

You’re comfortable working in a laboratory environment and enjoy hands-on experimentation, from preparing samples to analysing results. You work in a methodical, structured way, following detailed procedures with accuracy and care. Attention to detail is important to you, and you take pride in producing precise, reliable data.

You think critically and approach problems with a logical mindset, especially when results don’t go as expected. You’re confident working with data, calculations, and reports, and communicate your findings clearly. Motivated to build technical expertise, you’re interested in contributing to areas such as research, product development, or chemical processes while continuously refining your skills.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

To Apply For This Apprenticeship, You Must

Be 16 or over

Not be in full-time education

Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years

Have the right to work in the UK

As this is a Level 6 Chemistry Degree apprenticeship, you’ll also need:

• An A-Level in Chemistry (Grade C or above)

OR

• A level 3 qualification such as a T-Level or BTEC Extended Diploma in a Science related subject

It would also be beneficial for your application if you had relevant work experience in a related field.

Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Start your career as a laboratory scientist and gain hands-on experience in a real laboratory environment while working towards a recognised degree.

As part of this Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship in Chemistry, you’ll develop the skills to carry out advanced laboratory techniques, analyse and interpret complex chemical data, and contribute to research, development, and innovation.

This programme gives you the best of both worlds - you’ll combine academic study with practical, on-the-job experience, building the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours needed to succeed in the chemical science industry.

Learn more about the programme here.

Over the course of the programme, you’ll combine your day-to-day role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro, in partnership with Middlesex University. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person teaching, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.

In the final stage of the programme, you’ll focus on preparing for your End Point Assessment, ensuring you’re ready to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and behaviours in a real-world context.

What your training will look like: You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.

What could your future look like?

This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to progress as a laboratory scientist within the chemical sciences.

Through practical experience and academic study, you’ll develop the confidence to carry out complex chemical investigations, evaluate data, and contribute to research and innovation. You’ll work with advanced laboratory equipment and techniques while ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and scientific integrity. This programme can also support professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Scientist (RSci) or Chartered Scientist (CSci).

You’ll gain experience that’s highly valued across a wide range of scientific and industrial environments, opening up opportunities to specialise and progress within chemistry and related technical fields.

If you choose to continue your development, this programme provides a strong foundation for further academic study or progression into senior scientific and research roles.