KTP Associate - Masonry Support Systems Ltd

Masonry Support Systems (postholder will be based in the Keystone Group, Cookstown) in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast wishes to recruit a graduate civil or structural engineer to deliver a 30 month project designing a range of innovative structural support systems for off-site fabrication that will be used in the construction sector.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Masonry Support Systems was set up in 2014 to deliver structural support brickwork to the commercial sector and has its main plant in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. MSS identified a need in the market for fast, high quality, off site fabricated masonry support structures. The benefits of off-site fabrication in the construction sector are well documented, reducing reliance on onsite labour, providing cost certainty and increasing speed of build. Off site fabrication of masonry support elements is a logical progression that delivers significant benefits for the construction industry and is at the core of our company strategy. The company is affiliated to the Keystone Group and the job will be based in Keystone’s Cookstown plant. More details on the company can be found at www.igmasonrysupport.com.

• Review of current trends within the façade and masonry support sector.
• Conceptual design of building façade and underlying support sub-structure.
• Structural elemental design of façade and support systems.
• Development of test procedure and methodology.
• Elemental testing.
• Prototype, proof testing of entire face system and thermal performance evaluation.
• Identification of requirements and procedure to obtain existing and new product compliance with harmonised standards to achieve CE marking. Embedding of technology and R&D strategy.

Planning and Organising:

• Manage and coordinate the items of work as laid out in the project plan (individual work plan will be provided by Supervisors).
• Plan day-to-day activity within the framework of the agreed work plan.
• Contribute to the planning and management of the project, approximately 3-6 months in advance.
• Ensure that all training and development activity is scheduled to ensure that progress on the work plan objectives is not interrupted or delayed.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage day-to-day resources to ensure the project runs to time and on budget.
• Coordinate and obtain approval for planned expenditure/allocation of resources with the Management Committee and Steering Group.
• Carry out supervision of placement students or other staff members as required.
• Monitor travel and development budgets and produce a Personal Development Plan which will ensure best use of financial resources.
• Attend training modules (mandatory and additional job-specific training). This may be local, national and international.
• Perform any other additional duties as agreed by the Local Management Committee and Steering Groups to contribute to the development of the company, the university and the Associate.

Internal and External Relationships:

• Present regular progress reports to members of the Steering and Management Groups and to external audiences.
• Liaise with company staff on a daily basis. Contribute to training of staff in the company and university as required.
• Build relationships with both company and university staff to ensure effective working practices are established.
• Attend and contribute to any appropriate meetings, both in the company and the university as required.
• Establish contacts with additional groups and organisations (other KTP Associates, other university departments, other industrial contacts, and Innovate UK) as required to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Hold at least a 1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Civil or Structural Engineering or a closely related discipline. Applicants with a 2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in addition to either one year’s relevant practical experience or a related higher degree will also be considered.
• Three months relevant practical experience.
• Completion of an undergraduate module in structural steel design.
• Good oral written and presentation skills. High level of IT skills.
• Ability to think logically, create solutions and make informed decisions.
• A high level of numeracy and the ability to interpret data.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a group.
• Well organised, attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• An interest in staying with the Company (Associates are normally invited to apply for permanent positions).
• Ability to take part in Associate management courses (requiring two one-week periods in England).
• Willing/able to travel throughout the UK and Ireland and abroad, as necessary.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Hold a higher degree in a relevant area.
• Specialist knowledge of CE marking.
• One year’s relevant work experience.
• Experience of designing, conducting, statistically analysing and writing up scientific experiments (demonstrated through completion of a module, student project or related work experience).
• Ability to deliver training and follow-up support to operatives.
• Ability to influence people effectively.
• Tenacious and committed to achieving goals.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK programme that enables businesses to work with universities to gain access to specialist knowledge and expertise and apply it within their organisation. Each Partnership recruits a Graduate to work in the company, implementing and embedding the latest research techniques. Guidance is provided by the academic and company supervisors to ensure that the objectives of the project are met. Although the scheme is aimed at recent graduates, any suitably qualified individual may apply. Each KTP is a fully salaried job that lasts between twelve and thirty six months, providing the graduate with an opportunity to fast track a career in industry. Each KTP Associate has a training and development budget (£2,000 per year) and a travel budget (£2,250 per year). This funding provides opportunities for job-specific training, attending and presenting at conferences, visiting trade shows, customers and suppliers etc. Two, one week residential management training modules are also provided as part of the package. As members of University staff, KTP Associates can join the University pension scheme, gain access to University resources such as the Library and sports facilities.

More details are available at www.ktpjobsni.com.