Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate

Keele University and Arribada Initiative C.I.C.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Fixed term for 27 months

Salary: £37,308 - £41,754 (dependent on pension scheme membership) plus training package

Keele University has been awarded a 27-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in partnership with Arribada Initiative C.I.C., a not-for-profit Community Interest Company specialising in the design and development of open, affordable, customisable and impact-driven technologies for conservation organisations globally, including satellite telemetry instruments, biologgers, low-cost thermal sensors and optical timelapse cameras, among others. 

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is one of the UK's largest graduate recruitment schemes (http://ktp.innovateuk.org/) and is a three-way collaborative project between the Associate, the Company and the University. It provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to manage a challenging project central to a Company’s strategic development and long-term growth. 

The KTP Associate will be a Keele University employee, working alongside Arribada’s engineers both remotely and on-site at their facilities in London and/or Portsmouth, supported by a dedicated academic supervision team at the University. A protected budget is also available to the Associate for training and personal development. This is a unique opportunity for anyone seeking to take an active role in the development of impact-driven conservation technologies.  

We are specifically seeking to recruit a KTP Associate responsible for developing and writing embedded software to support the development of new satellite-IoT avian products (tags), with support from Arribada’s hardware engineers who have designed an ARGOS / Kinéis satellite transmitter reference design, utilising the ARGOS / Kinéis constellation of low earth orbit satellites to collect, process and disseminate environmental data.

The KTP’s aim is to make available a miniature avian tag / product for use by ornithologists (avian biologists), targeting the development of a lightweight (5g), affordable, open-source avian tracker (hereafter, Avian Tag) leveraging the technical capabilities of Arribada’s experienced team of hardware and embedded engineers and Keele University’s field and veterinary researchers to develop, deploy, test and refine the product. 

The post holder will hold a minimum of a BSc, BEng, MSc or MEng degree (or equivalent) in computer science or electronic engineering. Working knowledge and experience in embedded software engineering including development and troubleshooting on embedded targets. Practical experience of working in a client facing engineering environment and electronic product development. The most recent qualification must have been awarded within five years.

Keele University values equality and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

To apply online for this vacancy and for further information regarding the opportunity, please refer to job description/specification and further particulars documents, please click on the 'Apply' button above. 

Eligibility for applicants: A potential Associate should be qualified with a qualification(s) and experience that matches the project delivery requirements; not previously been employed or be currently employed by the Company Partner or an associated company; have not previously been employed as a KTP Associate.

Also, an Associate may not undertake more than one project of 12 months or more.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Dmitry Kishkinev, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Behavioural Neuroscience, Keele University. Email, d.kishkinev@keele.ac.uk.

The closing date for this post is 21^st July 2024.

Advert information