KTP Associate at SMD Ltd

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable recently qualified graduates (known as KTP Associates) to work in companies managing challenging projects central to the development needs of participating companies.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can provide you with:

• A springboard to accelerate your career.

• A personal development budget that will give you the opportunity to develop your personal, business and academic skills.   

• The support of academic experts and KTP advisors         

• Opportunity to lead and manage a project with defined goals.

• Potential of a permanent post with the company partner at the end of the project.

• Gain business management qualifications.

• Opportunity to gain valuable Research and Development experience in a commercial environment.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships provide employment and personal development opportunities for over 1000 graduates throughout the UK. Find out how Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can offer you a slice of the action by visiting: http://ktp.innovateuk.org/graduate-opportunities.

Established in the mid 1980’s, for many years SMD have specialised in the supply and installation of steel deck flooring systems. Revenue generating services include safety netting, floor and/or roof deck installation, shear studs and concreting can be provided as a package or as individual services. SMD contracts vary from Supply and Fix in the UK (approx. 70%), Supply Only of products to UK (15-20%) and Export Supply Only (5-10%). The business has an overseas sales office near Dubai that covers the Middle East market and are part of a joint venture in India where their products are manufactured for the Indian market on a supply only basis.

This KTP project will require a complex set of skills to be integrated in order to achieve the final product outcome, and the project will also be constrained by the need to adhere to strict industry regulations and protocols concerning structural design and build. There is, however, a long-term opportunity for the KTP team to influence these standards and to develop technologies, which revolutionise aspects of domestic housing on a worldwide scale. The associate will be required to access different skills sets and knowledge within the University of Southampton in order to develop elements of the project such that market launch can be achieved. In this respect it is anticipated that the associate will need to utilise expertise from the University’s Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, and will involve close working relationships with Professor Atul Bhaskar and Dr Mithila Achintha.  

The project

To transfer and embed knowledge, expertise, understanding and technology linked to the adaptation and development of a design capability for the creation of a new product range of floor products for the domestic housing market.

As a KTP ‘Associate’, you will be employed by the University of Southampton, but will be embedded in the growing team at SMD Ltd.  You will receive extensive training in SMD processes, sector specific business activities, plus the business skills training included in all KTPs.

The candidate

A minimum of a degree in Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or a related subject, with a strong background in construction materials, structural analysis and design. Ideally a Masters/PhD level qualification in a similar field. Knowledge and experience of computational solid mechanics, construction technologies, laboratory experiments, instrumentation and testing materials and structures, numerical analyses , composite materials and structures and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials. Experience with MATLAB and ABAQUS (or similar commercial software) are desirable.

Experience: Project management and ownership experience would be highly beneficial. Experience and knowledge of industry approaches to imaging would be advantageous.

Technical: Logical thinker with desire to work in commercial environment. Able to organise own research activities and quality standards effectively. You will be capable of working independently with a diverse range of equipment. A self-starter, able to plan and justify focus on extensive research that will lead to long-term commercial benefit.

Scientific: Competent structural analyst and designer, able to develop and communicate theoretical models and processes to team. Ability to design and implement laboratory experimental programmes, specify and operate test equipment and subsequent data analysis.

The salary offered will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Contact

For more information please contact the academic supervisor for this project, Dr Mithila Achintha.

Application procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above.If you need any assistance, please call Georgie Warren (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 7749. Please quote reference 874117AK on all correspondence.