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. In close collaboration with scientists, vendors, and IT teams, you will contribute to a seamless digital lab environment that enables innovation, data integrity, and operational excellence.

Qualification Requirements 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grade A*-C (4-9) Inc Maths and English

Salary - £21,000 per annum

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays

• Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%

• Flexible working - 10 – 3:30 core hours with remaining hours made up around these times

• Paid sick leave 10 paid days per year once probationary period is completed

• Days off for volunteering – 1 day per year

• Casual dress

• Discount schemes

• Employee Assistance programme

• Onsite parking

• Onsite canteen

• Gym membership

• Employee recognition / Aspire award

Location - 208 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3WE until early 2027 where UCB will move to new site Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PP

Working Hours Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:30 (including one hour unpaid lunch).

Duration - 18 months

Start Date - 7th September 2026

Interview Date - August 2026

Closing Date for Applications - 24th August 2026

To Apply To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. Once you submit, you will receive an email to verify your email address that will then submit your application to us. If you do not receive an email confirming your application, please check with us that this has been submitted.

If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on recruitment@cogentskills.com for assistance

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager

Job Description

We are an IT team dedicated to supporting Patient Solutions (Pharmaceutical Research).

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. In close collaboration with scientists, vendors, and IT teams, you will contribute to a seamless digital lab environment that enables innovation, data integrity, and operational excellence.

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

Candidate Requirements

• Ability to think on your feet and apply a logical/analytical methodology to troubleshooting

• Good people/communication skills, but above all, helpful

• Willing to learn, and not too proud to ask for help

• Proactive approach to work

Training To Be Delivered

Qualification to be delivered: Network engineer apprenticeship L4

Apprenticeship Standard: Network engineer

Training Provider: LearnTech

Delivery model: Online

Future Prospects

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.

Things To Be Considered

Please ensure that you currently live within or can relocate to a commutable distance of the site

The individual will be working within a professional environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures

All applications to be made through Apprenticeship vacancies. Do not contact the employer

About UCB

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.

UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.

Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.

UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives.