Data Science Level 6 Apprentice – STFC
Do you want to work with cutting‑edge technologies and solve real‑world problems with data science? At STFC, our scientists, technologists, engineers, 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. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world‑leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.
We are seeking to recruit a Data Science Level 6 Apprentice to join our Data Science group. Collaborating with our industry partners, we develop tools, frameworks, and applications to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across the UK industry and the public sector.
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 Hartree Data Science group at STFC
The Data Science groups work on data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence projects. Our projects span the technology readiness spectrum from early‑stage research through to commercial application of established techniques and are implemented on systems including our high‑performance computers and cloud. Our previous projects have included predicting healthcare pathways for NHS Liverpool, optimising the manufacture of sustainable clothing materials, and modelling the carbon intensity of power generators to help NESO reduce emissions from their decisions.
Qualifications Gained
- BSc (Hons) in Data Science
- Level 6 Data Scientist Apprenticeship
- Data scientist
What You’ll Learn
- Data Science Context: Relationship with computer science, statistics, and software engineering; impact of different schools of thought.
- Governance & Ethics: Data security, bias, prejudice, compliance, and international regulations.
- Data Systems: Processing and storage (on‑premise vs cloud), database types (relational, NoSQL, real‑time).
- Analytical Techniques: Statistical models, predictive analytics, machine learning, AI, NLP, computer vision.
- Development Standards: Programming practices, testing, source control.
- Data Landscape: Sources (files, systems, APIs, social media), formats (structured/unstructured), patterns in real‑world data.
- Problem Reformulation: Translate organisational challenges into Data Science problems.
- Data Engineering: Source, pipeline, transform, and store data with governance.
- Programming & Analysis: Use appropriate languages/tools for manipulation, visualisation, and integration.
- Model Building: Statistical analysis, feature engineering, machine learning, optimisation.
- Solution Implementation: Evaluate architectures, deployment options, ROI, and scalability.
Training provider
University of Nottingham: Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship – The University of Nottingham
Delivery – Blended (online with in‑person Block Release – 14 days per academic year)
What You’ll Be Doing – Day‑to‑day Responsibilities
You will work across the Hartree Centre’s project portfolio, focusing on data analysis and machine learning. You will regularly interact with other technical teams, including High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering. Our work involves a range of industry sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, energy and agri‑tech. There is some scope for choosing projects in areas you find especially interesting. From small start‑up companies to large multinational corporations, you will work closely with commercial teams with some work being commercial in confidence.
Duties Include
- Work on building solutions to customers’ data science challenges.
- Learn and apply data‑centric analytics and AI technologies.
- Visit commercial and academic partners, validate conclusions and present results to customers, including using advanced visualisation.
- Make site visits to commercial and academic partners.
- Publish non‑confidential results to build the Hartree Centre and your own profiles in the community.
Entry Requirements
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- GCSEs in Maths (Grade 5 or above) and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)
- BBB‑BBC at A level with at least C in Maths or Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship at Distinction or Merit (S)
- An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
- Enthusiastic and motivated to learn, both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
- A strong interest in Data Science, technology and computing (S&I)
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently (S&I)
- Confident with strong attention to detail and able to prioritise tasks effectively (S&I)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including focus and quality of cover letter (S&I)
- Able to keep track of tasks and organise time well. (S&I)
Desirable
- Programming experience with at least one language, e.g. Python (S&I)
- Knowledge of basic concepts in statistics (e.g. mean, variance, probability) (S&I)
Important Information
- To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9‑4 or A*‑C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
- You will need to have achieve, or predicted to achieve 112 UCAS points or equivalent by September 2026.
- 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 if you have any questions.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Employee Benefits
- Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship, in line with policy.
- 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
We only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
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!
About Us
UKRI – UK Research and Innovation 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.
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 file name 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.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
