Cyber Security Apprentice - Level 6 (Degree)

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Level 6 (Degree) Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentice to join our Technology Department at Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire.

The Technology Department provides technology, engineering and support to STFC’s current and future facilities and programmes, with 325 technical and scientific staff acting as a single department across two sites at the Daresbury Laboratory and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Oxfordshire). Our work is only possible with dedicated teams that are capable of turning scientific objectives into reality.

You will be based within the Nuclear Physics Group, which takes a leading role in a number of major international collaborations at facilities such as CERN, Switzerland and GSI, Germany. The group co-ordinates and supports the experimental research activities of the UK Nuclear Physics Community, providing expertise in computing, electronics, mechanical engineering, physics, project management and target making.

The Digital Technology Solutions Apprentice will gain first-hand experience working as part of a professional team, supported by theoretical and practical learning. You will have the opportunity to make an impact early on in your role, where you’ll also learn the specialist skills tailored to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required as a computing professional. 

What you will study:

The apprentice will work on a range of projects within the Nuclear Physics Group, including the operation of our in-house Linux computer cluster and development of new networked computer systems for deployment at labs around the world as part of our state-of-the-art data acquisition infrastructure. 

Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training through a mix of day-release and block teaching with Manchester Metropolitan University completing the Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship – Cyber Security pathway. Travel expenses will be provided when attending in-person teaching. 

The modules you will complete will be a combination of general computing principles applicable to all occupational areas, with specialist units focused on the requirements of developing competencies in a Cyber Security role. In your final year, you will also complete your work-based project before undertaking your End Point Assessment.

The End Point Assessment will include a presentation between the university and STFC, covering the work-based project, your approach, outcome and the skills, knowledge and behaviours demonstrated. This will be assessed as part of the overall project assessment.

Alongside this you will be supported in developing a portfolio of work-based projects to build and demonstrate the required skills, behaviours and knowledge required for this apprenticeship. 

The qualifications you will achieve are:

• BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions - Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Professional

Duties will include:

• Installation of Linux OS and configuration of services including network accessible storage (NFS, Samba), networking and firewall setup, user management, and security monitoring.
• Installation of computer hardware including both commercial off-the-shelf devices and software as well as bespoke hardware devices with original drivers and software developed within STFC.
• Working towards improving the security of our networked data acquisition systems without limiting our ability to meet the demanding requirements of our science program.
• Helping to improve our capabilities for troubleshooting and debugging OS and network level problems.

Essential: 

• A strong and demonstrable interest in technology and computing - Your CV and/or Cover Letter should give examples of personal or school/college projects that involved learning about using a programming language and/or hardware, and what you have enjoyed about this
• 5 GCSEs at grades C/4 or above including English, Maths and an additional STEM subject 
• A minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points at A Level ( x 3 subjects at grades BCC or above) or an equivalent Level 3 qualification i.e. BTEC National
• Diploma (D,M,M) - Please ensure that the subjects studied and results are included within your CV
• Familiarity with the concept of a computer operating system - You will be able to describe/demonstrate awareness of the range of computer operating systems. It is expected you may be stronger in one area than the other
• Some experience with computer programming in any language - For instance, you may have written a simple programme, web page or app in any programming language
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Quality of Covering Letter - Particularly addressing the requirements of the role and which demonstrates an interest in Computing and Cyber Security
• Enthusiasm for systematic problem solving 
• Interest in scientific research 

Desirable: 

• Familiarity with Linux operating system
• Experience with Python programming language 
• Experience with C/C++ 

Benefits

• Flexible 30 days' holiday plus 8 bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days
• Subsidised restaurant and coffee outlets
• Paid Emergency Leave
• Cycle-2-work scheme

Salary: £16,608 rising incrementally to £22,129 per annum in final year of apprenticeship 
Hours: Full time 
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington

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