Laboratory Technician Apprentice; Level 3 - Puraffinity

Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level
3) – Puraffinity

Department: Science Apprenticeship – Chemistry L3

Location: Scale Space, 58 Wood Ln, London W12 7RZ

Compensation: £22,000/year (increasing to £24,000/year after the first 12 months)

We are an advanced materials science company focused on the design, development and manufacturing of smart engineered adsorbents to capture and retain PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from water for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal markets.

Founded in 2015 and based in London, Puraffinity has become a leading organisation in tackling PFAS, commonly known as The Forever Chemicals, due to their resistance and high mobility.

Our vision is to provide clean water to 1 billion people by 2030, and our mission is to protect environmental and human health by engineering precision materials.

We embrace diversity, foster collaboration and dedicate 100 % of our time to purposeful and sustainable environmental impact.

Core values:
Collaboration & Team First, Adaptability, Take Initiative, and Empathy.

• Starting salary of £22,000/year (increasing to £24,000/year after 12 months).
• Vitality Private Health and Dental Care.
• Enhanced pension employer contribution scheme (up to 7.5 %).
• Free lunch at our onsite canteen when working onsite at Scale Space.
• Unlimited coaching with More Happi and mental health coaching and support by Smart Clinic.
• Shares in Puraffinity for all employees.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and a hybrid working approach.
• Enhanced family leave as part of our strong diversity and inclusion focus.

• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment (e.g., pipettes, balances, pH meters).
• Manage stocks of chemicals and consumables, and process deliveries.
• Prepare samples for analytical testing (e.g., LC‑MS).
• Maintain good housekeeping and follow laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Record testing and calibration data electronically and/or in writing.
• Support equipment maintenance and waste disposal processes.
• Contribute to and help draft standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Participate in compliance activities (e.g., CoSHH, inspections, training).

You will also:

• Attend weekly online classes as part of your apprenticeship.
• Work closely with mentors to learn laboratory techniques and protocols.
• Be proactive in your personal and professional development.
• Respect confidential aspects of commercial and scientific work.

You must be 18 + to be suitable for this role due to health and safety restrictions.

Applicants must be over 16, not in full‑time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK. If you already have a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher‑level qualification in a related field, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding. Skills and enthusiasm, rather than experience, are valued.

On successful completion you may secure a full‑time position within Puraffinity. The apprenticeship is a stepping stone to a career in laboratory testing and offers the opportunity to become a registered Science technician (RSci Tech). Further education, such as a BSc in Applied Chemical Science, can follow. A broad range of career paths open after completion, including chemical and pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology, analytical science services, and educational institutions.

You will be confident using computers and basic digital tools, with strong written and verbal communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and a commitment to accuracy and safety. You bring a positive attitude, genuine enthusiasm for learning, adaptiveness, proactivity and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience in science is beneficial but not essential;

a genuine interest and motivation are most important.