Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate

Cardiff University (Cardiff Business School) is seeking to recruit a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate with a passion for sustainability and digitalisation. Through hybrid working, the Associate will be employed by the university to work with Welsh based SME, Down to Earth (DTE) Project. The successful candidate will be supported by a strong academic team from Centre of Public Value Procurement and Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. 

This exciting new research led Associate position is to support DTE with tackling social inequality and improving the health and well-being of communities. This public value research and knowledge developed from Cardiff University will inform the design and delivery of a digital impact toolkit which will change the way communities work and provide for each other in Wales and the wider UK. The project is titled, EPIC - Environment/People Impact Calculator.

Down to Earth is an award-winning social enterprise with a 19-year track record in working with vulnerable and highly marginalised community members to address social and environmental inequality through meaningful outdoor projects. With nearly two decades of evidence-backed expertise, DTE collaborates with the health and education sectors throughout South Wales, promoting the integration of nature-based activities into strategies for health, well-being, and sustainability.

DTE delivers a diverse portfolio of community development projects that span social housing, education, and healthcare infrastructure. Their projects are collaboratively designed and built with the community, utilising natural materials and innovative approaches to generate inclusive participation among service providers and users.

Cardiff Business School is the world’s first Public Value Business School with a purpose and mission to make a positive impact on the world. The School values more than just economic success – and wants to bring humanity, sustainability, generosity, and innovation to the business sector. It is our collective duty to help sustain our local and global economies, for future as well as current generations.

This research-led position will support DTE in the creation of a digital impact toolkit to measure construction's social, environmental, and sustainability benefits through a community-based approach. The Associate will develop a deepened understanding of how DTE's approach impacts the systems within which it operates. Effective supervision and consultation with both partner organisations will involve considerable upskilling and knowledge transfer. The skills required include: 

• Technical - To comprehend the evaluation of cross sector and multi-disciplinary impact and how that can be translated into a comprehensive measurement tool for the business.
• Resource - To overcome challenges with building capacities, and engaging and building collaborations with public service providers, research institutions, and corporate investors looking to deliver transformational change in their sector.
• People and Change - Develop skills in effective partnership working, and to find impact metrics and financial proxies to quantify the costs/savings that stem from such psychological effects of being engaged in community project, e.g., feeling of belonging, what it means to people to contribute to a meaningful community legacy.
• Project Management - Utilise new and present knowledge to create an impact and value toolkit for DTE's approach to community led development.

The successful candidate should have keen passion for sustainability and supporting local communities. In addition, we are seeking a candidate with a good first degree with a minimum 2.1 (Hons) in software engineering or a master’s degree in a complementary discipline, or equivalent experience within fields of sustainability, construction, environmental conservation and management, or social value.

This is a full-time position, 35 hours a week, fixed term to 31st August 2026.

Salary: £37,000 per annum with project completion incentives.

For further details on this project, contact Professor Lynch LynchJ2@cardiff.ac.uk, or phone: 029 2087 6144.

Closing date: 24 August 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.