Apprentice Process Technician

About the role

Thermulon is a UK aerogel insulation company developing a cost-competitive manufacturing process. We are scaling from pilot into commercial-scale production to serve European and global customers.

The Apprentice Process Technician will learn to run Thermulon's 25 L pilot reactor from start to finish: preparing the chemicals, carrying out the reactions and producing a finished aerogel powder. You'll then handle and test that powder, measuring properties such as thermal conductivity and density. This is a hands-on role in a small, lean organisation, where you'll be trained on the job by our chemists and engineers while working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 Laboratory Technician qualification.

No degree or previous lab job is needed. We are looking for someone curious about science, careful with detail and keen to learn a hands-on technical trade.

Location: Thermulon laboratories, Westbourne Studios, London W10

First round interviews will take place w/c 16th November

What this role needs from you

You'll live Thermulon's Values: Safe, Collaborate, Impact, Pace, Innovate and Grow. In practice that means:

• A careful, safety-first approach: following procedures closely and speaking up if something doesn't look right.

• Enjoyment of working as part of a team, sharing the workload and helping colleagues.

• Pride in doing a job properly, because others rely on your results.

• Genuine energy for hands-on work, and seeing a task through to the finish.

• Curiosity about why things work, and willingness to suggest better ways of doing them.

• Keenness to learn, take on feedback and build a long-term technical career.

Key accountabilities

With full training and supervision, building up to working independently, you'll:

• Handle chemicals in line with risk assessments, COSHH and PPE rules, and keep the work area clean and organised.

• Run batches on our 25 L pilot reactor from start to finish, including weighing and preparing reagents and stock solutions, charging the reactor, and carrying out and monitoring the reaction through to finished powder.

• Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and batch records, recording process data accurately at every step.

• Sieve, weigh, blend, package and label aerogel powder safely, keeping dust and contamination under control.
• Measure product properties, including thermal conductivity and bulk and tapped density, and log the results
• Track powder stock, transfers and shipments, keep inventory and batch records up to date, and enter data into our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Set up, clean and carry out routine checks on the reactor, sieves and test equipment.
• Flag problems and deviations early, and suggest improvements to procedures.

Your apprenticeship

You will complete the Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship, delivered by Skills4Science, over about 18 months: 15 months of training plus the final assessment.

• Weekly 2-hour live online teaching sessions on Microsoft Teams, during your paid working hours.

• A dedicated Skills4Science tutor, plus a workplace mentor at Thermulon.

• On-site observations and progress reviews every 10-12 weeks.

• Most of your learning happens on the job: learning new techniques, equipment training, shadowing colleagues and project work.

• Support to gain GCSE-level English and Maths if you don't already have them.

• On completion, you'll be eligible to register with the Science Council as a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

Requirements

We welcome applicants who don't tick every box. If you are motivated and willing to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Essential

• A genuine interest in science, chemistry or how things are made.

• Careful attention to detail and the ability to follow written instructions precisely.

• Reliability and good timekeeping.

• Comfort with practical, hands-on work, including standing for periods and lifting and moving containers safely.

• Good communication, and willingness to ask questions and speak up.

• Basic computer skills for recording data, such as Excel.

Desirable

• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above (or willingness to work towards them during the apprenticeship).

• Any experience of practical work, such as school or college labs, manufacturing, a workshop or a kitchen.

Benefits

Job Type: Full-time, London-based, Permanent

Salary:

Wellbeing

• 30 days holiday for everyone

• Private Medical insurance - Vitality for you and your dependents (Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alternative treatments and Travel Insurance)

• Health/wellbeing allowance - £600 per year to spend on activities which lead to better physical / mental health (it may be the gym, it may be a spa day, it may be a membership to headspace or some sessions with a therapist, you know you best)

• Ride to work scheme - new bike and equipment with the government contributing tax to help pay for it B2W

You'll be supported by a workplace mentor, with a clear progression route within the Thermulon Career Path, for example to Process Technician on completing your apprenticeship.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people underrepresented in the deep tech and climate space. Climate change and climate justice are both social and inclusion issues. We especially welcome applicants with experience across all equality and inclusion challenges, and applicants whose experience differs from exactly what is specified here.