Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 15 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ
Closing Date: Sunday, 28th June 2026
Interview Date: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July
Start Date: 1st September 2026

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

As a science-driven, professional engineering organisation, we employ state-of-the-art technologies across all our products, including complex optical and infra-red detectors, vacuum-cryogenics, control electronics and software, for both astronomy and non-astronomy applications; and we manage collaborations with academic and industrial partners around the world.

Ready to take the first step into the world of business? Join us as a Business Administration Apprentice and build the skills that power modern organisations. Whether it's organising meetings, supporting teams, or streamlining processes, you’ll be at the heart of how things get done.   

This is a brilliant opportunity to learn on the job while gaining a recognised qualification, all within a supportive team that values growth, initiative, and fresh thinking. If you're organised, eager to learn, and up for a challenge, we’d love to hear from you.   

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice, you’ll gain real-world experience, build technical and professional skills, and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic, supportive environment.  

You’ll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator, structured training, practical experience, and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus, you’ll have access to workshops, a peer network, and career development support, helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.  

Why join the Project Support Office Team at UK ATC?

As we continue to develop our projects portfolio and processes, the Project Management Group at the UK ATC now seeks an exemplary Project Support Assistant to support the department and key stakeholders, by providing extensive administrative support to group leaders, project managers and project staffs where required.

The project support office provides support to BOTH the operation of UK ATC and the portfolio of exciting astronomy instrumentation projects.

Working flexibly within a small team you will gain hand-on experience of the practicalities of business administration in a busy, dynamic project office.

Qualifications gained

Business Administration SCQF Level 6

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP IN Business Administration at SCQF Level 6

What you’ll learn

Business Administration candidates have a broad range of activities with significant complexity, responsibility and autonomy. Mandatory units will cover:

• Undertaking allocated work: Managing tasks efficiently and responsibly.
• Communicating in a business environment: Professional written and verbal communication.
• Managing own performance: Time management, goal setting, and self-evaluation

There are a wide range of optional units available to enhance this apprenticeship further, 4 of these will be chosen and are in direct relation to the work we do here at UKATC. Examples include:

• Producing business documents
• Organising meetings and events
• Using IT systems and software
• Delivering customer service
• Maintaining records and information systems
• Supporting financial functions

Training provider

Education Provider: Rewards Training Scotland

Learning Delivery: Delivery is fully based within the work environment, consisting of 2-3 weekly meetings with the assessor which is a mixture of remote (MS Teams) meetings and in-person observations within the office.

What You’ll Be Doing – Day-to-day responsibilities

Working with other Project Assistants your responsibilities could include:

• Provide administrative support for a variety of project meetings, including management meetings. This involves preparing agendas, drafting papers, taking minutes, tracking action items and ensuring timely follow-up with action owners. There will also be an element of financial reporting where applicable.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels, both internally and externally, e.g. all UKATC departments, the Public Engagement Team, onsite visitor centre and international stakeholders.
• Maintain and develop accurate records and documentation in accordance with internal processes standards. This will also involve running reports for the in-house management systems.
• Provide general administrative support as required, contributing to the smooth running of daily operations.
• Coordinate and manage travel arrangements (flights, accommodation, transport), ensuring cost-effective and safe options are selected in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Supporting shipping and receiving for projects, handling relevant paperwork.
• Supporting office procurement needs by raising purchase orders in conjunction with our Shared Business Service function.

You will be a proactive and organised person, used to managing your time and responsibilities with the upmost professionalism. Our work involves people working collaboratively on our site and across various UK and international institutes. Therefore, good interpersonal skills and clear communication are needed to work effectively while managing conflicting needs in a busy office environment.

Entry Requirements

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• Mathematics at National 5 (S)
• English at National 5 (S)
• Computer literate. (S)
• Excellent communication skills. (S&I)
• Proactive, organised with good attention to detail. (S)
• Able to work well under pressure when there are tight deadlines (I)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)  
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• Eligibility for SDS funding [student must be resident in Scotland and work in Scotland] - and you must not have completed the same or similar apprenticeship within the last 3 years.

Note: Funding is available for age 16-19, 20-24 or 25+

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes as detailed in the entry requirements above. For applicants sitting their exams in 2026, we would need evidence of your predicted grades at the point of application.
• When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here
• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org if you have any questions.

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship, in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

How to apply

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability and motivation for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

What to include in your application

Your CV should include:

• Your National 5 Maths and English grades (or equivalent) - If your qualifications were obtained outside the UK, please attach your UK ENIC certificate of comparability to show the UK-equivalent level.
• Any other relevant qualifications
• Your skills, experience, or achievements that relate to the role

Your cover letter should:

• Explain why you are interested in this apprenticeship
• Demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria listed in the advert along with your motivation for UKRI/STFC and the role.
• Highlight any relevant experience, including part-time work, school projects, volunteering, or extracurricular activities

Applications missing a cover letter, educational results/grades (or equivalent), or UK ENIC documentation (where applicable) may not be reviewed.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.