Library and Information Assistant Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: 19514 per annum(rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term 24 months
Hours: Full-time 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Campus Didcot OX11 0QX
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Are you a motivated individual who can andemonstratean excellent customer service Join us as an apprentice Information Assistant working within the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) library services.

Youllbe part of the Open Science team helping to deliver a range of library and information services as well as supporting open research practices such asopen accesspublishing of journal articles and data sharing through the development and operation of the institutional repositories.

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

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

Youll 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 youll have access to workshops a peer network and career development support helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.

Why join theOpen Science Team at STFC

You would be part of the Open Science team which works collaboratively across STFC UKRI and internationally to define policies develop and deploy tools and practices to support STFC research andresearchers to realise the benefits of open science making scientific research openly availableaccessibleand reusable.

We areacross-site team with staff based at both the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire and the Daresbury Laboratory (DL) in Cheshire. This position will be based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire and may require occasional travel within the UK to attend meetingeventsand training.

You can find out more about the Open Science team and the work we do on the STFC Scientific Computing website: gained

Level 3Libraryinformationand archive services assistant(LIAS)

Library information and archive services assistant / Skills England

What youll learn:

• understand the needs of people using information in all its formats including digital ( video files electronic documents online content) and analogue/physical (e.g. collections books journals newspapers DVDs/CDs etc)
• organize and manage those information resources including arranging and displaying the resources; marketing and promoting the resources; and providing access to the resources
• providea range of services such as library archive knowledge customer services learning support etc that help people to use and value the resources available.

Training provider

Westminster adult education service: Level 3 Library Information and Archive Services Assistant - Westminster Adult Education Service(WAES)

Delivery oftraining will take place 1 daypermonthover a13-monthperiodat 1 of the 3 designated centres in London.

What Youll Be Doing Day-to-day responsibilities

Your responsibilities will be wide ranging and tailored to support the requirements of the apprenticeship standard. Examples of the work include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the marketing and promotion of services and resources (preparing and updating guidance documents intranet pages display screens)
• Contributing to the submission of materials into the publication and data repositories updating metadata and quality checking of records.
• Being the first point of contact for some services including time on the library enquiry desk answering a range of enquiries (in person and via email) and triaging more complex enquiries to the relevant members of the team.
• Contributing to service development through active engagement in team meetings and liaising with library users.

Entry Requirements

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

We are looking for the following:

Essential

• GCSEs in MathsEnglishand Science(Grade 4/C or above) (S)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• Interest in working in a scientific library and information environment (S&I)
• Ability to deliver an excellent customer service (S&I)
• Ability to work with a range of colleagues at all levels within the organisation (S&I)
• Ability to work to a high degree of accuracy with attention to detail and ability to follow detailed instructions (S&I)
• Self-motivated and experience in managing time and priorities (S&I)

Desirable

• Further academic qualifications e.g. Alevels BTEC or Undergraduate Degree (S)
• Experience of using different tools to find databases web resources (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.
• 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.

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 visithere.

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: to apply

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.

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

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