Job Description

Laboratory Scientist Chemistry Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) - Kedrion Biopharma

Department: Aseptic Pharmaceutical - L6 Chemistry Degree

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Hertfordshire

Compensation: £23,000 / year

Description

Location: Dagger Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BX

Expected Start Date: January 2027

Working for Kedrion Biopharma

At Kedrion Biopharma, our mission is to enhance lives through our work in the field of rare and ultra-rare diseases. With a global community of more than 5,400 people, we are committed to collecting plasma and producing plasma-derived therapies that treat and prevent rare and debilitating conditions such as Coagulation and Neurological Disorders, Immunodeficiencies, and Rh sensitization.

Our extensive network includes 67 plasma collection centers operated by KEDPLASMA in the United States, 8 centers managed by UNICAplasma in the Czech Republic, and 7 production facilities across 5 countries. This infrastructure enables us to distribute 39 life-enhancing and life-saving products in over 100 countries, positioning us as the fifth largest player in the plasma-derived sector worldwide.

With our dedication to developing solutions that address unmet medical needs in rare and ultra-rare diseases, we envision a world where the union of science and care knows no bounds. In partnership with the medical and scientific community, institutions, patient advocacy groups, and research organizations, we drive sustainable innovation and improve patient care.

What sets us apart from other biopharma companies is our commitment to every detail, every person, every interaction. Whether engaging with donors, supporting patients, empowering our employees, every connection we make impacts someone, somewhere. We call these “rare connections”.

🔗 About Kedrion Biopharma

The Package

• Starting salary of £23,000/year
• Yearly incremental increases in line with qualification level (L4 - £24k / L5 - £25k / L6 - £27k)
• Additional annual pay review and bonus potential
• 37.5 hours per week
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Medical cash plan, with different levels of cover including things such as dental and therapies/treatments
• Life insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Pension contribution up to 6%

Key Responsibilities

Within this exciting Level 6 Degree apprenticeship you develop scientific, technical, and analytical skills in a regulated pharmaceutical laboratory. You will support routine laboratory activities, completing the below duties:

• Responsible for preparing reagents, standards and control samples and contribute to general laboratory housekeeping duties.
• To promptly report any deviations, out-of-specification / trend / limits results. To assist where required with investigations.
• To ensure OOS and invalid records are raised in a timely manner.
• To read, collate, report and archive results using defined documentation and computer systems.
• To ensure equipment used is clean, calibrated and maintained. Perform system suitability checks where required
• To assist with the calibration or validation of laboratory equipment and automated systems.
• Ensure good stock control throughout the department.
• To operate a variety of instrumentation and computer software packages intended for data analysis, collation and other related applications (e.g. LIMS).
• To make recommendations for documentation revisions and carry these out.
• Undertaking administrative activities to support the labs operation.
• To organise own assigned working activities. To be responsible for reporting issues or delays to next line management.
• To identify continuous improvement initiatives and engage in the delivery of these.
• To attend meetings as required.
• To participate in the receipt of audits from internal (BPL) and external sources, ensuring own work area is audit ready at all times.
• To adhere to record and data integrity requirements, as per BPL polices.
• To perform any other aspects of laboratory testing and support the objectives of the department as required.
• Assist in projects as and when required (including but not limited to; testing of samples, preparation of components, reporting of results, writing reports etc).

Chemistry

To perform a wide variety of Chemical and analytical tests/activities including:

• UV-Vis Spectrometry, meters and moisture analysis
• Operation, maintenance and basic troubleshooting of GC and UHPLC/HPLC equipment
• Electrophoresis and Kjeldahl analysis
• Prepare standards, samples, buffers and reagents
• Basic equipment maintenance

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.

Please note: You must be 18+ to be eligible for this apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:

✔️ Be 18 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.