Register Your Interest - Laboratory Science Degree Apprenticeship

Register Your Interest - Laboratory Science Degree Apprenticeship

Our purpose is to create a brighter future with you and for you. That future begins in Research and Development (R&D). If you want to develop into your best self while being part of a global organisation that can take you in any direction, this is for you. 

There are always new ways for our products to improve the lives of our consumers and have a positive impact on the planet. In R&D you'll discover what consumers want and develop the technology to make our innovations come to life. Unilever R&D apprentices follow a structured programme that allows you to put your science education and passion into practice while getting a degree. 

Your Future Employer

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Foods, Beauty and Wellbeing, Home, and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 3.4 billion consumers daily. Founded in Port Sunlight (Wirral) in 1929 by Lord Lever, Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, TRESemmé, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Hellman’s, Persil, Domestos, Marmite, Wild, Graze, Vaseline, Sure, Colman’s and Pot Noodle.  

Our goal is to deliver best-in-class performance with market making, unmissably superior brands. From our earliest days Unilever has been at the forefront of change always striving towards making a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘Brightening everyday life for all’.

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 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?

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.

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

Diversity at Unilever is about championing inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing alongside each other for better business performance. To celebrate this, we have internal networks and communities created to raise awareness for a cause, which works to create change within the business. These networks include Proud, Empower, Enable and Unity and our communities include Thriving Parents, Carers, and All Inclusion Club.  

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.  

We are a key advocate of well-being and offer a variety of resources for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.  

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 Available

Port Sunlight (Wirral) office

Application Process:

Stage 1 - Complete the online application form and tell us about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected apprenticeship programme.

Stage 2 - Situational Judgment Test, which gives you realistic, hypothetical scenarios where you will be asked to identify the most appropriate response. You will also have a numerical and verbal reasoning test at this point.

Stage 3 – In-Person Discovery Centre, immersing yourself in business challenges and an interview

Discovery Centre:

Dates TBC for our 2025/26 recruitment cycle

Closing date:  

Dates TBC for our 2025/26 recruitment cycle.

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:  

Phone: 020 3650 2304 or e-mail: futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com. 

Recruitment Fraud 

Cybercriminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs. These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate. 

 How is Unilever tackling this? 

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scans for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and acts to close them down. 

What can I do? 

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat. 

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!