KTP Associate

Contract: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (24 Months)

Detailed Description

We are seeking a highly talented and motivated candidate for this Knowledge Transfer Associate position. You will apply and extend your skills by leading the creation of this new method, through a combination of spectroscopic measurements, sensory tests, and statistical analysis. You will be the interface with the Scotch whisky industry, to understand their requirements and communicate your results. Your aim will be the adoption of the method; if successful, this will save time in the whisky production process, improve the quality and consistency of brands, and enable the detection of counterfeit products.

This 24-month, full-time position is funded by SWRI and InnovateUK.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Review the relevant literature and summarise current working practices on colour measurement in the Scotch whisky industry 
• Set-up industry focus groups to discuss current measures and desired improvements in colour measurement 
• Design and set-up extensive laboratory spectroscopic experiments on a unique library of Scotch whiskies 
• Participate in the design and implementation of sensory tests of perceived whisky colour  
• Lead the analysis and interpretation of research data, and develop required outputs drawn from the research findings 
• Plan and manage the activity of the project in line with the specified workplan  
• Contribute to, and lead, dissemination of the results: to include setting up workshops, presentations to SWRI members, participation in scientific conferences and publication of scientific papers. 
• Actively participate in the activities of the wider SWRI business 

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• An enhanced Undergraduate Degree (MSci, MChem, MPhys) or Master's Degree (MSc) in Chemistry, Physics, Analytical Science, or related Physical Science Disciplines  

Experience

• Experience in conducting laboratory experiments and recording scientific data under controlled and reproducible conditions.  

• Experience in quantitative science and an integrated knowledge of data and analytical sciences

Competencies, Skills and Knowledge 

• Proficiency using reporting and presentation tools, Scientific Data Analysis and Graphing Tools and other relevant computer-based tools used in a research environment 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing 

• Flexible, self-motivated, and able to plan own work, as we all as work within a team and with others beyond it.  

• Strong desire to develop skills and accelerate own career development 

• Capacity to work in a small-business setting and at the interface between business and academia 

For all criteria, further details and how to apply please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/.

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