Data Science Apprentice - Level 6 (Degree)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £24,340 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 48 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Hartree Centre, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick, Warrington, WA4 4AD
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

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.

• 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 GCSEs 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:

How to apply

Please note that we can 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.

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

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!