Laboratory Assistant (Apprentice)

Role Responsibility

Kent Scientific Services, a department within Kent County Council, is recruiting up to two apprentice Laboratory Assistants to work in its Analytical laboratory at Kings Hill, West Malling in Kent, working in our food & consumer products and/or toxicology teams. 

The posts involve analysing and supporting the analysis of a variety of samples, including food, animal feed, consumer products like cosmetics and samples taken during postmortem examinations, in support of various law enforcement bodies including Trading Standards, Port Health Authorities and the Senior Coroners in Kent.

An appropriate, sensitive and mature attitude to this type of work is essential.

The successful applicant will study for a BSc in Chemistry or similar via a university degree course mapped to the relevant apprenticeship standard. The course is based on day release and lasts up to five years. Commitment to this length of study is vital. Whilst we fully support the academic part of this role, some study in your own time will be expected.

Applicants must meet, or expect to meet if currently awaiting results, the relevant entry requirements to be accepted onto the study course. Our current apprentices study with the University of Greenwich and entry requirements are set out on the University’s website.

This role is an amazing opportunity for the right applicant to gain a degree whilst using science in work which directly impacts on people’s lives.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Contact Details

Mark Rolfe, Nicola Ingram or Samantha Keller. 03000 415100 kss@kent.gov.uk 

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.