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Laboratory Scientist Apprenticeship - UK and Ireland

As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered.

About our UK and Ireland apprenticeships

Our apprenticeship programmes allow people from all backgrounds to find their purpose and rise to their full potential, whilst learning invaluable skills and earning a wage. All our programmes offer you on the job experience and formal training to give you the knowledge and skills to fire-up your career and give you the opportunity to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. From the engineers in our factories, to the scientists in our research and development sites; producers of brand artwork to those creating mobile optimised websites; our apprentices bring fresh ideas and deliver innovative ways to meet the everyday needs of our consumers, helping them to rise to their full potential.

Job description

What is the job?

Laboratory Science apprentices in Unilever will apply specific knowledge and a wide scientific understanding to carry out a range of technical and scientific activities. You will help to aid the R&D development of new products across a number of our different categories.
This role is based at Port Sunlight R&D Laboratory, and you will be located at the Product Innovation Laboratory in Port Sunlight or the Materials Innovation Factory in Liverpool. Within these areas there will be the opportunity to work with world-leading scientists across Beauty and Wellbeing; Personal Care and Home Care; working within project teams to develop innovative products that deliver to millions of people every day.

What do we look for?

You will have a genuine passion for Chemistry and its impact on the world around us. Highly motivated with an aptitude for teamwork and keen scientific curiosity you will be keen to learn from others and bring your ideas.

What could your day-to-day role look like?

You will be working within a fast-paced project team, and most of your work will be laboratory-based where your results will help the team leader to make key decisions for our products.

What support will you receive during your apprenticeship?

You will have a workplace mentor who will assist with any questions relating to your apprenticeship. We have a strong relationship with the university who will also offer guidance and training on top of your studies.
As part of a project team, you will have the guidance of your line manager and a peer buddy to help you to settle into the team and we also have a community of former and current apprentices who organise a range of support, everything from sharing their experiences with the apprenticeship to organising nights out in Liverpool.

Duration

4 years

Requirements

Have 5 GCSEs including English Language and Maths at grade 5 or above. Have or are predicted a minimum of 3 A-level or equivalent with grades BBB or above including Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject.

Locations

Port Sunlight (Wirral) office.

What can Unilever offer you?

  • A Competitive Salary of £18,841
  • A pension Scheme
  • A discounted staff shop
  • Subsidised Gym Memberships
  • Shares
  • 25 days of holiday allowance

Discovery Centres

17th February 2026.

Closing date

This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.
If you have any questions about your application or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to complete any part of the application process, please contact the Future Careers Team. If you would like to discuss any mitigating circumstances before making an application, please also contact the team using the following contact details: futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com.

Application process

  • Step 1: Online Application

    Complete the online application form and tell us all about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected programme. It is a simple and easy process.

    1

  • Step 2: Online Assessments

    Upon successful completion of your application form, you will be invited to complete a numerical and verbal reasoning assessment alongside a situational judgement test, which gives you realistic, hypothetical scenarios where you will be asked to identify the most appropriate response.

    2

  • Step 3: Discovery Centre

    You will be invited to spend a day with us in person, immersing yourself in Unilever business challenges.

    3

Apply now

To apply for any of our UK and Ireland Apprenticeships, you'll be redirected to an external application platform where you can register and complete your application for your selected apprenticeship.

Apply to a UK and Ireland apprenticeship

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