Network engineer (Level 4) Apprenticeship - UCB
As an IT Lab Support Engineer within DTPS, you will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and compliance of laboratory IT systems. You will work at the intersection of technology and science, supporting lab operations by maintaining critical applications, infrastructure, and equipment connectivity.
Role
Acquired skills at the end of the apprenticeship:
- Ability to support a pharmaceutical company’s lab environment
- Support a company relocation (Slough to Windlesham)
- Building relationship/trust with key stakeholders
- Windows lifecycle management (upgrade OS and associated software)
- Hardware lifecycle management (replace hardware and migrate data)
- Work with instrument vendors and onboard new vendor supplied PCs
- Build PCs and VM clients using UCB’s image deployment system
- Maintain accurate records of lab assets within the Lab Inventory system
- Write LDAP queries to find Active Directory membership (Users and Computers)
- Run PowerShell queries and create reports with the output
- Create reports in Excel using formulas (e.g. VLOOKUP)
- Manage PCs in CommVault (backup and restore)
- Use Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Deploy software via Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM)
- Assess patch level of PC and manually apply correct Windows cumulative updates
- Install and configure enterprise applications such as:
Unicorn
Empower
Biacore
ForeCyt
Configure and manage VMware Horizon pools - Manage VM clients via vSphere
- Perform network patching
- Competent in the use of RACS (Remote Access, Control and Support)
- Install/replace computer hardware (e.g. hard drives, graphics cards etc.)
- Clone hard drives and recover data
- Basic understanding of relational databases (schema design)
- Use IT Tools such as Active Directory tools and ITSM (IT helpdesk tickets/requests)
- Basic understanding of network segmentation and VLANs
- Perform network performance testing via script and monitoring tools
- Issue troubleshooting
- Configuring CCTV systems
- Basic understanding of lab robotics and automation
- IT support requests and process workflows
Training
Training for this apprenticeship will be completed online.
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.
- Apprenticeship Standard
- Network engineer (level 4)
- Training Provider
- TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED
- Working Week
- Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:30 (including one hour unpaid lunch). 10:00 - 15:30 core hours, with remaining hours made up around these times.
- Expected Duration
- 1 Year 6 Months
- Positions Available
- 2
- Closing Date
- Monday, 24th August 2026
- Start Date
- Monday, 7th September 2026
Desired Skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Qualifications
- Min 5 inc. Maths English Science GCSE, grade 4/C or above (Essential)