Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship; Level 3; Brookes Bell

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Liverpool

Compensation: £26,227.50 / year

Location: Units 13 & 14a Valley Road Industrial Estate, Birkenhead, CH41 7ED

Expected

Start Date:

ASAP

Working for Brookes Bell

Brookes Bell provides comprehensive services in the marine and energy world and lead the market in professional expertise and experience across the major maritime and scientific disciplines. We provide specialist advice on a wide range of inter-disciplinary areas including nautical services, marine and energy loss adjusting, metallurgy, inspection and non‑destructive testing and marine engineering.

As part of continued business growth, we are looking for a hard‑working individual to join the team at our Wirral based laboratory. This role will be within our metallurgical testing services team, but there will be opportunities to interact and work with our Non‑Destructive Testing (NDT) teams too. We are a small unit and need someone who will be able to support our operations at various levels.

About The Lab at Brookes Bell

The Package

• Starting Salary of £26,227.50 per year
• Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm
• 22 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (with an additional day awarded for every year of service up to 25 days)
• Company Pension Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Death in Service Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Vehicle Car Lease Scheme
• Dental Cover
• Employee Helpline
• Eye Tests
• Employee Loans Policy
• Travel Season Ticket Loan Policy
• Subsidised Gym Membership – with Pure Gym
• Save as You Earn (SAYE)
• Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

For further details of any of the benefits listed above, please contact HR upon joining.

The successful applicant will be expected to assist with the day to day operations involved in handling and preparation of metallic samples, including very large engineering items. This role includes routine technical and engineering tasks such as sample sectioning, preparation and machining, operating and maintaining equipment and routine equipment calibration operations. There is also scope for assisting with analysis and experimental procedures.

The nature of our inspection services, with collaborative aspects of different departments, will mean on the job training of material science and opportunity to operate advanced analytical/NDT equipment may be required. We are looking for a candidate who is interested in machining, heavy industry, metalwork or QA/testing services and the role would suit someone with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt to a changing and varied work environment.

We are a small team (part of a bigger group), so the ability to be self‑motivated and proactive is essential.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Managing the workshop.
• Sample handling, preparation, and testing.
• Assisting with metallurgical forensic investigations.
• Documenting samples and calibrating personal equipment and laboratory equipment.
• Operating equipment such as optical microscopes, chemical analysis equipment and mechanical test equipment.
• Travel to site as part of investigations.
• Admin tasks associated with the position.
• Any other adhoc duties which fall within the individual’s abilities.

You’re naturally curious about how materials behave and enjoy understanding why they perform the way they do, not just following instructions. You take pride in getting things right, paying close attention to detail, and producing accurate, reliable results. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’re motivated to build real knowledge and develop a long‑term career in a materials testing laboratory.

You’re someone who thrives in a…